FUNCTIONAL IMPROVEMENT WITH THE SEVER LEPISCOPO PROCEDURE

This was a prospective study to determine the functional results in pa tients with obstetric palsy treated with the Sever L'Episcopo procedur e using a simple five-grade scale consisting of the ability to reach t he abdomen (grade 0), upper thorax (grade I), mouth (grade II), forehe ad (grade III), and occiput (grade IV), which translates into an impro vement in basic daily activities. Forty-nine procedures were done in 4 8 patients (one bilateral) with a preoperative and postoperative evalu ation of each case. Range of motion was also recorded for each patient both preoperatively and postoperatively. The overall results showed a n improvement of two grades in 61% of our patients. The improvement in range of motion averaged 64 degrees for active abduction and 42 degre es for active external rotation. Functional goals must be the principa l concern. With this method of evaluation, we can measure (in a simple way) improvement in the activities of daily living.