Abstract

OLIVEIRA, Vânia et al. Deformidade em supinação na paralisia obstétrica do plexo braquial: Resultados do procedimento de Zancolli. Rev. Port. Ortop. Traum. [online]. 2014, vol.22, n.4, pp.379-389. ISSN 1646-2122.

Aim: a supination contracture due to obstetric brachial plexus palsy (OBPP) is rare nowadays and results from muscular imbalance between pronator and supinator muscles. It is a progressive and disabling deformity and when passive reduction is possible, lateral rerouting of the distal biceps is indicated. If there is a ?xed loss of forearm rotation, the interosseous membrane should be released. This study evaluates the Zancolli technique outcome in patients with OBPP supination deformity. Patients and methods: six patients underwent the Zancolli procedure in addition to a release of the interosseous membrane. Postoperative immobilization lasted 4 weeks.  The mean age was 4 years old and the mean follow-up was 3.3 years. Results: the mean active pronation improvement was 70 degrees (range 50°-90°). Clinically, there is overall functional improvement of the upper limb. The only recurrence was wrongly indicated to this procedure due to failure of the biceps. Compared to previous studies using the same technique, the age of intervention is low and the active pronation improvement is high. Relatively to other surgical techniques, it presents a low recurrence rate without major complications. The parents are satisfied. Conclusion: biceps rerouting may prevent bone deformity and radial head dislocation. It is therefore associated with better functional results than later surgery procedures. Functional limitation and aesthetic deformity of a supination contracture with OBPP should not be underestimated and the Zancolli procedure presents a good outcome.

Keywords : Obstetric brachial plexus palsy; Zancolli procedure; biceps rerouting; supination; pronation.

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