Long-term Evaluation of Teres Major to Infraspinatus Transfer for Treatment of Shoulder Sequelae in Obstetrical Brachial Plexus Palsy.

Background: The long-term results of soft tissue rebalancing procedures of the shoulder in obstetric brachial plexus palsy have been scarcely reported. The effect of this procedure on the evolution of secondary bone changes has been a subject of controversy.

Methods: Twenty-six children are included in this study. All initially had postganglionic C5-6 or C5-7 (Narakas types I and II) obstetric brachial plexus palsy, which spontaneously recovered. Children included are those who had persistent external rotation weakness with or without internal rotation contracture, nondysplastic glenohumeral joint, and functioning teres major. All had anterior shoulder release and teres major to infraspinatus transfer to correct internal rotation deformity and/or increase active shoulder external rotation. Patients were 18 males and 8 females. The right upper limb was affected in 16 patients, and the left in 10. Surgery was performed at an average age of 3.01 years (range, 1-10 years). Follow-up averaged 8.2 years (range, 5-16 years). Eight cases (30%) were followed up for 10 years or greater. Age at final follow-up averaged 10.5 years (range, 6-17.8 years).

Results: The results showed to be significant: 67 degrees (63%), 71.3 degrees (412%), and -32 degrees (-35%), respectively. There was no single recurrence of internal rotation deformity. Global Mallet score averaged 20 ± 2.7. Global abduction and external rotation averaged 3.5 ± 0.8 and 4 ± 0.3, respectively. Shoulder abduction range included an average of 45 degrees glenohumeral and 65 degrees scapulothoracic motion. Postoperative internal rotation in adduction was limited to 55.96 ± 25.65 degrees and was significantly lower that the preoperative value. Radiological measurements showed no significant differences between the operated and normal sides.

Conclusions: We conclude that the long-term results after soft tissue rebalancing, combined with open reduction when required, demonstrated significant improvement of abduction and external rotation and significant loss of internal rotation. The difference in glenoid version and humeral head subluxation continued to be insignificant compared with the normal side.