‘BRACHIALCON ’17’-Nat’l Conference on Brachial Plexus Surgery at AJIMS
‘BRACHIALCON ’17’-a National Conference on Brachial Plexus Surgery was inaugurated at AJ Institute of Medical Sciences-Mangaluru on 28 July 2017- and will continue until 30 July.
Mangaluru: The brachial plexus is a complex network of nerves that extends from the spinal cord within the neck through the axilla (armpit) and supplies nerves to the chest, shoulder and arm. In general, brachial plexus injuries are caused by trauma that affects the region of the neck and shoulder. This trauma can result from motorcycle or auto accidents, falls, lacerations or other injuries or medical conditions.Surgery offers only hope to restore lost function and in severe cases, the disability could be permanent. The surgery is complex and fortunately advanced microsurgical techniques developed in recent times can give remarkable improvements and recovery. Early surgical treatment is extremely important and recovery generally is prolonged taking months to years.
Such nerve injuries are seen among new born, known a Birth Palsy. Babies during delivery are prone to these injuries and seen 1-2 per 1000 live births worldwide. Though some degrees of recovery does happen, most often require surgery. It is again important to evaluate them and plan the treatment by specialists. A J hospital receives a large number of polytrauma victims Brachial plexus Injuries are regularly managed. Department of Plastic and micro surgery at A J Hospital, has treated more than 150 patients of these injuries. To highlight more on Brachial Plexus Surgery, the 9th Biennial Conference of Brachial Plexus Surgery Group of India (BPSGI) decided to have their conference at AJ Institute of Medical Sciences.
The dedicated BPSGI is in existence since 2003, providing a platform for scientific advancement and improved patient care. During this period, there has been an explosive growth globally with some procedures finding its place firmly, to form a standard protocol, while lot others, still under the scrutiny of reproducible results. Therefore there is a need to deliberate and take re-look at various strategies, share experience, welcome new ideas and guide in making right decisions. Keeping that in mind the needs of the novice surgeon as well as accomplished ones, this conference is designed to deliver to everyone. Accordingly, the organizers have also invited renowned international and national faculty, so that each conference/meeting becomes a step higher in learning than the previous.
BRACHIALCON-2017, a National Conference on Brachial Plexus Surgery was inaugurated at A J Institute of Medical Sciences, Mangaluru on 28, which will go on until 30th July 2017, hosted by Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. This is the 9th National conference of Brachial Plexus Surgery Group of India, held once in 2 years in India. Over 150 delegates from India and 8 other countries are taking part in this 3 days meeting. The previous meeting was in Jaipur and the next will be held at Chennai after 2 yrs. Several surgeons of International repute from USA, China, Spain, Egypt, Sri Lanka; and Plastic and micro vascular surgeons across the country will deliberate during this meeting. Dr Dinesh Kadam, Prof and head of Plastic surgery is the Organizing Chairman of this meeting.
The Inauguration was held at AJ Auditorium of AJ Institute of Medical Sciences at 11:00 am, and was inaugurated by Dr.Shantaram Shetty-Pro Chancellor, Nitte University; along with other dignitaries on the dais namely- Brig. P.S. Bhandari-President of Brachial Plexus Surgery Group of India; Dr Prashanth Marla- Medical Director, AJ Hospital; Dr Ashok Hegde- Dean, AJIMS; Dr Dinesh Kadam- Organizing Chairman and Prashanth Shetty- Vice President, Laxmi Memorial Educational Trust.
Addressing the gathering Dr Shantharam Shetty said, “Even though your Brachial Plexus Surgery Group is small in number compared to others, but don’t worry-small is always beautiful, while large is ugly. Look at your five fingers, among all other fingers the smallest one is great because when you join both your hands together while praying to God, the both tiny fingers stand forward facing to God. Similarly, you being smaller in the group, you’ll always be closer to God. Previously, Brachial Plexus injuries had a poor prognosis and required extensive grafting procedures. Now due to advanced technology, Surgeons use a number of nerve transfers — in which a less essential nerve or nerve section is “transferred” to restore function in a more crucial nerve — to treat patients with these injuries.”
” This new strategy restores useful function in a fraction of the time that was required for recovery from the grafting procedures. This conference will benefit you all about the new strategies used. Also regarding Mangaluru city, even though it is small, for the information of foreign delegates and faculties here, it has many educational institutions, we are known for best Masala Dosas in the world, and Mangaluru has produced quite a few Bollywood actors and actresses- you will be happy that you are in the next three days of your stay in this coastal town-make the best use of it” added Dr Shantharam Shetty.
Brig. Dr PS Bhandari speaking during the occasion said, “It’s important that patients see a surgeon relatively soon after the accident or injury. Surgeons generally prefer to schedule operations within three to four months after the injury but can operate earlier if an avulsion (a condition in which a nerve is pulled out of the spinal cord) is found on MRI or myelogram. Patients should avoid waiting for more than a year to undergo an operation to treat any nerve or brachial plexus injury. When the brachial plexus is completely injured, patients have no function at all in their extremity. They generally can neither feel nor move their arm.”
“With these injuries, it is important to determine which nerves are scarred or torn versus those that are avulsed (pulled out of the spinal cord). If nerves are avulsed, the surgeon can operate earlier instead of giving time for recovery, knowing that these injuries will not recover on their own. Special studies can be used to determine whether nerves are avulsed and grafts can be used with nerves that are scarred or torn. Reconstructive surgery for complete brachial plexus injuries generally consists of a combination of nerve grafting and nerve transfer procedures. The treatment for each patient will be determined according to his or her individual condition. Patients can undergo surgery within three to four months after the injury. In order to provide for the best recovery, it is often important that the patient receives physical therapy before the surgery to keep the joints mobile and to learn to recruit the nerves that will be transferred and, after the surgery, to learn to use the muscles that are now run by different nerves. You’ll learn more through our renowned faculty during this conference” added Brig. Dr Bhandari.
Dr Prashant Marla and Dr Ashok Hegde also spoke. The faculties for the conference are- Dr Shufeng Wang MD from Beijing, China; Dr Justin Brown-San Diego, USA; Dr Mukund Thatte- Mumbai, India; Dr Raja Sabhapathy- Coimbatore, India; Brig. PS Bhandari-Delhi, India; Dr V Purushottaman -Chennai, India; Dr Khushnuma Mansukhani- Mumbai, India; Prof. R Srikanth-Hyderabad, India; Tushan Beneragama- Colombo, Sri Lanka; Dr Piyush Doshi- Baroda, India; Dr Bharath Kadadi-Bengaluru, India; Prof. G S Kalra -Jaipur, India; Dr Hari Venkataramani-Coimbatore; Dr Praveen Bharadwaj-Coimbatore; Dr Shreekanth Ravindran-Vellore; Dr Nilesh Satbhai -Mumbai, and Dr Ashwath Acharya-Manipal.
Dr Dinesh Kadam delivered the welcome address, while Dr Sanath Bhandary proposed the vote of thanks. The programme was compered by Afreen Vaz, a student at AJIMS, and also fbb Femina Miss India International 2015.