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A modified, less invasive posterior subscapular approach to the brachial plexus: case report and technical note

Publication ,  Journal Article
Crutcher, CL; Kline, DG; Tender, GC
Published in: Neurosurgical Focus
March 2017

The traditional posterior subscapular approach offers excellent exposure of the lower brachial plexus and has been successfully used in patients with recurrent thoracic outlet syndrome after an anterior operation, brachial plexus tumors involving the proximal roots, and postirradiation brachial plexopathy, among others. However, this approach also carries some morbidity, mostly related to the extensive muscle dissection of the trapezius, rhomboids, and levator scapulae. In this article, the authors present the surgical technique and video illustration of a modified, less invasive posterior subscapular approach, using a small, self-retaining retractor and only a partial trapezius and rhomboid minor muscle dissection. This approach is likely to result in decreased postoperative morbidity and a shorter hospital stay.

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Published In

Neurosurgical Focus

DOI

EISSN

1092-0684

Publication Date

March 2017

Volume

42

Issue

3

Start / End Page

E7 / E7

Publisher

Journal of Neurosurgery Publishing Group (JNSPG)

Related Subject Headings

  • Neurology & Neurosurgery
  • 3209 Neurosciences
  • 1109 Neurosciences
  • 1103 Clinical Sciences
 

Citation

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ICMJE
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Crutcher, C. L., Kline, D. G., & Tender, G. C. (2017). A modified, less invasive posterior subscapular approach to the brachial plexus: case report and technical note. Neurosurgical Focus, 42(3), E7–E7. https://doi.org/10.3171/2016.12.focus16470
Crutcher, Clifford L., David G. Kline, and Gabriel C. Tender. “A modified, less invasive posterior subscapular approach to the brachial plexus: case report and technical note.” Neurosurgical Focus 42, no. 3 (March 2017): E7–E7. https://doi.org/10.3171/2016.12.focus16470.
Crutcher CL, Kline DG, Tender GC. A modified, less invasive posterior subscapular approach to the brachial plexus: case report and technical note. Neurosurgical Focus. 2017 Mar;42(3):E7–E7.
Crutcher, Clifford L., et al. “A modified, less invasive posterior subscapular approach to the brachial plexus: case report and technical note.” Neurosurgical Focus, vol. 42, no. 3, Journal of Neurosurgery Publishing Group (JNSPG), Mar. 2017, pp. E7–E7. Crossref, doi:10.3171/2016.12.focus16470.
Crutcher CL, Kline DG, Tender GC. A modified, less invasive posterior subscapular approach to the brachial plexus: case report and technical note. Neurosurgical Focus. Journal of Neurosurgery Publishing Group (JNSPG); 2017 Mar;42(3):E7–E7.

Published In

Neurosurgical Focus

DOI

EISSN

1092-0684

Publication Date

March 2017

Volume

42

Issue

3

Start / End Page

E7 / E7

Publisher

Journal of Neurosurgery Publishing Group (JNSPG)

Related Subject Headings

  • Neurology & Neurosurgery
  • 3209 Neurosciences
  • 1109 Neurosciences
  • 1103 Clinical Sciences