Frontiers of Brachial Plexus Injury: Future Revolutions in the Field

Abstract

The field of brachial plexus surgery has undergone dramatic changes in the past 40 years. Most of these have been incremental in nature. We have seen increased use of nerve grafts and nerve transfers. We have seen the introduction of robotic limb replacements for the most severe flail limbs where surgical intervention has failed. In some cases, we have seen an increase in the use of computer simulation and virtual reality to train surgeons to plan and execute surgeries. More recently, we have seen the introduction of technologies derived from regenerative medicine research.

From Augmented to Virtual Reality in Plastic Surgery: Blazing the Trail to a New Frontier

“…10 Given the need to distinguish nerves and avoid the nearby vasculature, AR may allow surgeons to see the brachial plexus in high fidelity during the operation. 9,10 Craniofacial AR and VR have been widely studied in the field of craniofacial and head and neck surgery, with a particular emphasis on the utility of mixed reality for improved cosmesis and symmetry in both reconstructive and cosmetic procedures of the face, including oral-maxillofacial surgery (OMFS), aesthetic surgery, filler injection, and trauma. 11,12 AR technology has been useful in surgical visualization and navigation for facial contouring surgery, osteotomies, orthognathic surgeries, and neurosurgery.…”

“…In fact, the brachial plexus may be a promising target for AR as it is poorly suited for laparoscopic surgery. 10 Given the need to distinguish nerves and avoid the nearby vasculature, AR may allow surgeons to see the brachial plexus in high fidelity during the operation. 9,10 Craniofacial AR and VR have been widely studied in the field of craniofacial and head and neck surgery, with a particular emphasis on the utility of mixed reality for improved cosmesis and symmetry in both reconstructive and cosmetic procedures of the face, including oral-maxillofacial surgery (OMFS), aesthetic surgery, filler injection, and trauma.…”

“…In fact, the brachial plexus may be a promising target for AR as it is poorly suited for laparoscopic surgery. 10 Given the need to distinguish nerves and avoid the nearby vasculature, AR may allow surgeons to see the brachial plexus in high fidelity during the operation. 9 10…”

“…10 Given the need to distinguish nerves and avoid the nearby vasculature, AR may allow surgeons to see the brachial plexus in high fidelity during the operation. 9 10…”