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CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 · Arq Neuropsiquiatr 2017; 75(09): 667-670
DOI: 10.1590/0004-282X20170096
VIEWS AND REVIEWS

Elective amputation of the upper limb is an option in the treatment of traumatic injuries of the brachial plexus?

A amputação eletiva do membro superior é uma opção no tratamento das lesões traumáticas do plexo braquial?
Mário Gilberto Siqueira
1   Universidade de São Paulo, Instituto de Psiquiatria, Divisão de Neurocirurgia Funcional, Grupo de Cirurgia do Nervo Periférico, São Paulo SP, Brasil.
,
Roberto Sérgio Martins
1   Universidade de São Paulo, Instituto de Psiquiatria, Divisão de Neurocirurgia Funcional, Grupo de Cirurgia do Nervo Periférico, São Paulo SP, Brasil.
,
Carlos Otto Heise
1   Universidade de São Paulo, Instituto de Psiquiatria, Divisão de Neurocirurgia Funcional, Grupo de Cirurgia do Nervo Periférico, São Paulo SP, Brasil.
,
Luciano Foroni
1   Universidade de São Paulo, Instituto de Psiquiatria, Divisão de Neurocirurgia Funcional, Grupo de Cirurgia do Nervo Periférico, São Paulo SP, Brasil.
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ABSTRACT

The treatment of complete post-traumatic brachial plexus palsy resulting in a flail shoulder and upper extremity remains a challenge to peripheral nerve surgeons. The option of upper limb amputation is controversial and scarcely discussed in the literature. We believe that elective amputation still has a role in the treatment of select cases. The pros and cons of the procedure should be intensely discussed with the patient by a multidisciplinary team. Better outcomes are usually achieved in active patients who strongly advocate for the procedure.

RESUMO

O tratamento das paralisias completas após lesões traumáticas do plexo braquial que resultam em um membro superior completamente paralisado permanecem como um desafio aos cirurgiões de nervos periféricos. A opção de amputar o membro superior é controversa e raramente discutida na literatura. Acreditamos que a amputação eletiva ainda tem utilidade no tratamento de casos selecionados. Os prós e contras do procedimento devem ser intensamente discutidos com o paciente por uma equipe multidisciplinar. Os melhores resultados são geralmente obtidos em pacientes atuantes que reivindicam vigorosamente o procedimento.

brachial plexus neuropathies - amputation - upper extremity - artificial limbs
neuropatias do plexo braquial - amputação - extremidade superior - dor por deaferentação - membros artificiais


Publication History

Received: 19 May 2017

Accepted: 02 June 2017

Article published online:
05 September 2023

© 2023. Academia Brasileira de Neurologia. This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonDerivative-NonCommercial License, permitting copying and reproduction so long as the original work is given appropriate credit. Contents may not be used for commecial purposes, or adapted, remixed, transformed or built upon. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)

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