Narakas reported a classification of obstetric brachial plexus palsy.
|
Group
|
Name
|
Muscle Weakness
|
Roots Affected
|
|
1
|
upper Erb's
|
shoulder abduction and external rotation; elbow flexion
|
C5, C6
|
|
2
|
extended Erb's
|
same plus wrist drop
|
C5, C6, C7
|
|
3
|
total palsy without Horner syndrome
|
complete flaccid paralysis
|
C5 to T1
|
|
4
|
total palsy with Horner syndrome
|
complete flaccid paralysis plus Horner's
|
C5 to T1
|
where:
• Al-Qattan recognized a type 2a (early recovery of wrist extension) and type 2b (no early recovery).
|
Group
|
Outcome
|
|
1
|
good, spontaneous in > 80%
|
|
2
|
good, spontaneous recovery in 60%
|
|
3
|
good in 30-50%
|
|
4
|
without surgery expect severe deficits
|
