COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF THE EFFECTS OF ELECTRICAL NEUROMODULATION METHODS ON PATIENTS WITH TRACTION INJURIES OF BRACHIAL PLEXUS

Abstract

BACKGROUND. Traction injuries are relevant in the general structure of brachial plexus traumas, and microsurgical neurolysis is a commonly used method for comprehensive treatment of patients with closed traction injuries of brachial plexus. Along with surgical interventions various electrostimlilation techniques are applied for the trunks of brachial plexus, although their results still remain contradictory.
RESEARCH OBJECTIVE. To perform comparative analysis of the outcomes of surgical treatment that involved electrostimlilation methods for patients with traction injuries of the trunks of brachial plexus.
MATERIALS AND METHODS. 20 patients with traction injuries of the trunks of brachial plexus made the scope of the research. The outcomes were estimated in both the main and the comparison groups. The patients were treated with one-level as well as two-level electrical neuromodulation methods. The outcomes were evaluated using data of clinical neurologic status research in dynamics and electrical physiological monitoring. 
RESULTS. In the patients of both the main and the comparison groups on Day 14 of the surgeries pain abatement was observed, its dynamics being most prominent in the main group. Despite M-responses of all patients being rather low, the obvious tendency for the rise of amplitude range was recorded. In the main group the emerging motor units in upper extremities were registered suggesting the initial stage of reinnervation in peripheral sensomotor structures. 
CONCLUSION. Application of two-level electrical neuromodulation method ensured better short-term results of surgical treatment for patients with traction injuries of brachial plexus based on the regress of pain syndrome and positive dynamics of electrophysiological indicants.