The Pericoracoid Tissue Release in Children With Brachial Plexus Birth Injury.

Purpose: In brachial plexus birth injury (BPBI), children with upper trunk injuries have multidirectional movement deficits, including global abduction and hand-to-neck, hand-to-abdomen, and hand-to-spine movements. The aim of this study was to evaluate the results of pericoracoid tissue release and postoperative structured physiotherapy as a first-step intervention to reduce the multidirectional movement deficit in children with BPBI.

Methods: Thirty-four children with BPBI underwent pericoracoid tissue release, including coracohumeral and coracoacromial ligament release, pectoralis minor release, and coracoid process osteotomy. Patients were followed up with regular physiotherapy and a home exercise program for 1 year after surgery. Before surgery and at 3 and 12 months after surgery, upper-extremity function was measured using the modified Mallet classification and Active Movement Scale, passive shoulder and elbow joint movements were measured using goniometry, and the difference in the distance between the treatment table and the acromion was measured.

Results: There was an improvement in all movement tasks evaluated with modified Mallet classification, and there was increased shoulder flexion, abduction, and external and internal rotation movements as evaluated with Active Movement Scale. Increased passive joint movements were noted in abduction, external rotation, and internal rotation movements with the arm next to the body and with the limb in 90° abduction. There was a decrease in the distance difference between the acromion and the treatment table between both sides.

Conclusions: Pericoracoid tissue release provided multidirectional improvement in shoulder joint movements in children with BPBI.

Type of study/level of evidence: Therapeutic IV.