Management of obstetric brachial plexus palsy

Advances in reconstructive microsurgery during the last quarter of the cent ury have led to an increasing interest in brachial plexus surgery in infant s. The higher potential for nerve regeneration in this patient population a s compared to adults with post-traumatic brachial plexus injuries, allowed for more aggressive surgical approaches. Even if the current thinking is th at surgery at an early stage is the best therapeutic modality for obstetric brachial plexus palsies, there is still some controversy among reconstruct ive microsurgeons around the world regarding appropriate candidates, the op timal timing of surgery, and the best reconstruction approaches. This artic le condenses current opinions and presents the authors' approach to this de bilitating disease.