Tetraplegia-Upper-Limb Surgery For Tetraplegia

Upper-Limb Surgery For Tetraplegia

Pdf Summary

The study reviewed the results of reconstructive surgery on 97 upper limbs in 57 tetraplegic patients over an eight-year period. The main functional objectives of the surgeries were to provide active elbow extension, hook grip, and key pinch. The surgeries included deltoid-to-triceps transfers for elbow extension, transfers of muscles such as extensor carpi radialis longus and brachioradialis for hook grip, and various other procedures. At an average follow-up of 37 months, 70% of the patients reported good or excellent subjective results, and objective measurements of function compared favorably with other series. The study also introduced a new split flexor pollicis longus tenodesis technique for stabilizing the thumb interphalangeal joint. There were some complications such as wound infections and rupture of anastomoses, but overall the surgeries were considered to have improved the quality of life for the patients. The study recommended a team approach to the management of tetraplegic patients, including assessment, surgery, and rehabilitation. Simultaneous bilateral surgery was also found to have better results than unilateral surgery. The study concluded that upper limb surgery can improve the quality of life for tetraplegic patients and that the split-FPL tenodesis is an effective technique for stabilizing the thumb joint.

Keywords

reconstructive surgery

upper limbs

tetraplegic patients

elbow extension

hook grip

key pinch

split flexor pollicis longus tenodesis

thumb joint

quality of life

team approach