Division of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, The Hospital for Sick Children, 555 University Ave, Toronto ON M5G 1X8, Canada.
J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg. 2012 Sep;65(9):1227-32. doi: 10.1016/j.bjps.2012.03.037. Epub 2012 Apr 17.
Brachial plexus injury diagnosed following delivery often causes lifelong disability and frequently results in litigation. While there is no universally accepted name for this condition, the term 'obstetrical brachial plexus palsy' (OBPP) is commonly used worldwide. The difficulty with the term 'OBPP' lies with the use of the word 'obstetrical', which some have construed to imply obstetrical malpractice even if none occurred. Many regions, especially in the United States, are suffering increasing obstetrician shortages, sometimes as a result of unsustainable liability insurance premiums. We wanted to determine whether surgeons felt that an alternative to the term 'OBPP' was more appropriate.
We surveyed peripheral nerve surgeons worldwide to determine the appropriateness of the term 'OBPP' and alternative terms.
The majority of US-based surgeons (94%) preferred alternative terms, such as 'neonatal brachial plexus palsy'. However, only 53% of surgeons from other regions preferred alternative terms. This difference was statistically significant (p < 0.0002).
More precise and descriptive alternatives to the term 'OBPP' are available and acceptable to many surgeons. An alternative to 'OBPP' may improve communication between practitioners, families and the legal system, especially in the United States. Our peripheral nerve organisations may be able to provide further leadership on this matter.
分娩后诊断出的臂丛神经损伤常常导致终身残疾，并经常引发诉讼。虽然这种情况没有被普遍接受的名称，但术语“产科臂丛神经麻痹”（OBPP）在世界范围内被广泛使用。“OBPP”一词的问题在于使用了“产科”一词，有些人认为这暗示了产科医疗事故，即使实际上并没有发生。许多地区，尤其是美国，由于不可持续的责任保险费，正面临着越来越多的产科医生短缺的问题。我们想确定外科医生是否认为“OBPP”这个术语的替代词更合适。
我们对全球周围神经外科医生进行了调查，以确定“OBPP”一词及其替代词的适当性。
大多数美国外科医生（94%）更喜欢替代术语，如“新生儿臂丛神经麻痹”。然而，其他地区的外科医生只有 53%更喜欢替代术语。这一差异具有统计学意义（p < 0.0002）。
有更精确和描述性的术语可以替代“OBPP”，并且被许多外科医生所接受。“OBPP”的替代词可能会改善从业者、家庭和法律系统之间的沟通，尤其是在美国。我们的周围神经组织可能能够在这方面提供更多的领导。
