Surgical and postpartum hereditary brachial plexus attacks and prophylactic immunotherapy.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Surgery and childbirth can trigger attacks of hereditary brachial plexus neuropathy (HBPN), and inflammation was suggested as a component of the pathogenesis.

Methods

HBPN patients who underwent surgery or parturition from January 1, 1996 to December 31, 2009 were studied.

Results

Twenty-five HBPN patients underwent 48 surgeries or parturitions. Seventeen patients (68%) had attacks, including 13 periprocedural and 7 postpartum by varied anesthesia types. Three patients who had 8 earlier combined attacks (after thyroidectomy, laminectomy, and Caesarean section) were given prophylactic immunosuppressive therapy (corticosteroids ± immunoglobulin). None suffered postoperative attacks, which is uncharacteristic of their prior experience. Five had perioperative

SUBMITTER: Klein CJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3528817 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature