Utilization of intraoperative neuromonitoring during the Woodward procedure for treatment of Sprengel deformity

Brachial plexus injury (BPI) leading to palsy of the upper extremities is the most serious complication of the Woodward procedure for treatment of Sprengel deformity. Intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM) is widely used for detecting emerging spinal cord or peripheral nerve injury during spinal and shoulder surgery. However, to date, its utilization in pediatric patients with Sprengel deformity is limited. Furthermore, it remains unclear whether IONM can help prevent BPI during surgery. The purpose of the current study was to assess the feasibility and effectiveness of IONM for early identification and prevention of nerve injury during the Woodward procedure. We retrospectively reviewed the records of patients who underwent the Woodward procedure for Sprengel deformity at our institution between January 2017 and January 2020. IONM, including somatosensory evoked potentials (SEP) and motor evoked potentials (MEPs), was performed in all patients. Detailed IONM data were collected and analyzed. Preoperative and postoperative cosmetic appearance (according to the Cavendish classification), shoulder joint abduction function, and radiologic evaluation of the scapula were reviewed. Surgical complications were recorded. Forty-six patients (19 girls, 27 boys) were included (mean age, 5.1 ± 2.1 years). Both SEP and MEP (amplitude of the abductor pollicis) were successfully performed (100%). MEP alerts occurred in 3 patients (6.5%). After scapula position adjustment, signals recovered in 2 patients and remained unchanged in 1 patient—this patient exhibited postoperative motor deficits that resolved completely by 4 months recovery. The SEP amplitudes decreased in all 3 patients but did not reach the warning criteria. Forty patients were classified as grade III and 6 as grade IV in the Cavendish classification, whereas 35 patients were classified as grade II and 11 as grade III in the Rigault scale. The preoperative Cavendish grade was III (III, IV) and the postoperative Cavendish grade was I (I, II) (χ2 = 88.098, P