Does preoperative abduction value effect functional outcome of combined muscle transfer and release procedures in obstetrical palsy patients with shoulder involvement?

Abstract

We compared the abduction and external rotation function after combined release and tendon transfer operations in two group of patients who had obstetrical palsy sequela and did not have any surgical treatment before. We compared the postoperative results of the patients who had preop. abduction < 90degrees (Group I : n=37) with the patients who had preop. abduction greater than or equal to 90degrees (Group II : n=9), in terms of abduction and external rotation function with angle measurements and Mallet classification. Although difference between preop. abduction and abduction-gain degrees of Group I and II were significant; the difference between postop. values of both groups were insignificant. The patients with a preop. abduction < 90degrees can have good functional results as the patients who had preop. abduction greater than or equal to 90degrees with latissimus dorsi, teres major muscle transfer and subscapularis muscle release.