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Semin Plast Surg 2025; 39(02): 069-074
DOI: 10.1055/s-0045-1808270
Review Article

A Multidisciplinary Approach to Brachial Plexus Birth Injury: An Overview and Institutional Experience

Winston R. Owens
1   Division of Plastic Surgery, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
2   Division of Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas
,
Vamsi C. Mohan
1   Division of Plastic Surgery, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
2   Division of Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas
,
Diego M. Quirarte
1   Division of Plastic Surgery, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
2   Division of Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas
,
John D. Bovill
1   Division of Plastic Surgery, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
,
Gabrielle T. Nguyen
3   Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
4   Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas
,
James H. Northcutt II
5   Department of Physical and Occupational Therapy, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas
,
Jenny Lee Nguyen
1   Division of Plastic Surgery, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
2   Division of Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas
,
William C. Pederson
1   Division of Plastic Surgery, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
2   Division of Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas
› Author Affiliations Funding None.
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Abstract

Without early diagnosis and intervention, brachial plexus birth injuries (BPBIs) can result in permanent upper extremity debilitation. Previously, BPBI was treated by single-specialty surgeons; however, given the complexity of the injury, BPBIs necessitate multidisciplinary team care. Common specialists involved within brachial plexus injury clinics include radiologists, physical medicine and rehabilitation physicians, occupational therapists, nerve surgeons, and shoulder surgeons. Care plans are meticulously designed by all team members, and depending on injury severity and clinical course, patients may undergo treatment including range-of-motion exercises, splinting, botulinum toxin injections, nerve surgery, or shoulder surgery. The objective of this article is to highlight and discuss key providers within BPBI clinics and describe the BPBI experience here at Texas Children's Hospital.

Keywords

multidisciplinary clinics - brachial plexus birth injury - BPBI - nerve surgery - plastic surgery - glenohumeral dysplasia

Supplementary Material



Publication History

Article published online:
21 May 2025

© 2025. Thieme. All rights reserved.

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