Publications by authors named "J A Bertelli"

Purpose: Brachial plexus traction injuries have conventionally been categorized as involving the C5-C6, C5-C7, C5-T1, and C8-T1 roots. In this article, we report a distinct clinical presentation of brachial plexus injury characterized by intact finger flexion with signs of complete brachial plexus injury.

Methods: From 2010 to 2022, 989 patients who sustained brachial plexus injuries were examined and underwent surgery.

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Purpose: This study evaluated the efficacy of the spinal accessory to suprascapular nerve transfer accompanied by anterior shoulder release in restoring shoulder external rotation and abduction in patients with brachial plexus birth injury.

Methods: A cohort of 41 children with brachial plexus birth injury and shoulder internal rotation contractures underwent surgical intervention. The procedure involved an anterior shoulder release encompassing subscapularis tenotomy, capsulotomy and division of the coracohumeral ligament, and transfer of the spinal accessory nerve to the suprascapular nerve.

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Background: Surgical innovation has provided new options for the management of complex peripheral nerve injuries, generating renewed interest in this field. Historic literature may be misinterpreted or misquoted, or create dogma, which is perpetuated in teaching, research publications, and clinical practice. The management of peripheral nerve injuries is based on complex decision-making, with potential lifelong ramifications for patients incorrectly receiving an expectant or surgical management plan.

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Nerve axons grow from proximal to distal after axonometric injury; however, they have been seen to regenerate via alternate routes, with some also demonstrating retrograde growth in neuromas. We present the case of a 33-year-old male with a 16-year-old traumatic brachial plexus injury presenting with neuropathic pain and isolated spontaneous recovery. Following a successful pre-operative anaesthetic block, a neurectomy of the median and ulnar nerves was planned for pain relief.

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Distal nerve transfers can restore precise motor control in tetraplegic patients. When nerve transfers are not successful, tendon transfers may be used for subsequent reconstruction. In this case, an extensor carpi radialis brevis (ECRB) tendon transfer was used to restore thumb and finger flexion following an unsuccessful ECRB to anterior interosseous nerve transfer in a young tetraplegic patient.

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