Chennai: Five-year-old Pranshu Kathiravan can now lift his right hand – what must have been a natural movement has become an achievement for him. For, Pranshu was diagnosed with brachial plexus injury during his birth which made his right hand immobile.
As it was diagnosed soon after he was delivered, he was given treatment and underwent a surgery at Apollo First Med Hospitals when he was three months old. Post-operation, with regular therapy and medication, he moves his shoulder without any strain or restriction.
However, the case of Pranshu cannot just be ignored. Accident victims are also subjected to the same injury which leads to disability, if ignored.
Addressing a press conference Thursday, Apollo First Med Hospitals head and senior consultant, Dr R Venkataswami, said, “There is lack of awareness regarding brachial plexus injuries and treatment. If the patient is not treated within the golden period of between three and six months following injury, other secondary procedures will only give sub-optimal results.”
“In a road traffic accident, the injury is often missed or wrongly diagnosed as the victims have other serious injuries to the brain, spine and chest. The focus is more to save the life of the patient. However, if diagnosed to have injured brachial plexus, early referral to reconstructive plastic surgeons followed by complex microsurgical nerve reconstruction within two to six months is crucial for good functional recovery,” said Apollo First Med Hospitals senior consultant plastic surgeon, Dr V Purushothaman.
The State holds the record for more number of road accidents every year and many victims are disabled due to problems like brachial plexus injuries. In infants, it is caused during birth where tremendous pressure is exerted on the neck region.
The hospital’s plastic surgery department is hosting ‘Brachialon 2019’, the eighth biennial meeting, from 29 March to 31 March, convened to discuss brachial plexus surgery.
Cincinnati Children’s Hospital and Medical Centre clinical director and orthopedic surgeon, Dr Roger Cornwall, was present during the media meet.