Mariano Socolovsky, Johnny Chuieng-Yi Lu, Francisco Zarra, Chen Kuan Wei, Tommy Nai-Jen Chang, David Chwei-Chin Chuang
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Background With the advent of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, some doubts have been raised regarding the potential respiratory problems that patients who previously underwent a phrenic nerve transfer could have. Objectives To analyze the effects of the coronavirus infection on two populations, one from Argentina and another from Taiwan. Specific objectives were: (1) to identify the rate of COVID in patients with a history of phrenic nerve transfer for treatment of palsy; (2) to identify the overall symptom profile; (3) to compare Argentinian versus Taiwanese populations; and (4) to determine if any phrenic nerve transfer patients are at particular risk of more severe COVID. Methods A telephonic survey that included data regarding the number of episodes of acute COVID-19 infection, the symptoms it caused, the presence or absence of potential or life-threatening complications, and the status of COVID-19 vaccination were studied. Intergroup comparisons were conducted using the nonparametric Mann-Whitney U test, with categorical variables conducted using either the Pearson χ2 analysis or the Fisher's exact test, as appropriate. Results A total of 77 patients completed the survey, 40 from Taiwan and 37 from Argentina. Fifty-five (71.4%) developed a diagnosis of COVID. However, among these, only four had any level of dyspnea reported (4/55 = 7.3%), all mild. There were also no admissions to hospital or an intensive care unit, no intubations, and no deaths. All 55 patients isolated themselves at home. Conclusions It can be concluded that an acute COVID-19 infection was very well tolerated in our patients. (Level of evidence 3b, case reports).
期刊介绍:
JBPPNI is an open access, peer-reviewed online journal that will encompass all aspects of basic and clinical research findings, in the area of brachial plexus and peripheral nerve injury. Injury in this context refers to congenital, inflammatory, traumatic, degenerative and neoplastic processes, including neurofibromatosis. Papers on diagnostic and imaging aspects of the peripheral nervous system are welcomed as well. The peripheral nervous system is unique in its complexity and scope of influence. There are areas of interest in the anatomy, physiology, metabolism, phylogeny, and limb growth tropism of peripheral nerves.