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Am J Perinatol 1995; 12(1): 44-45
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-994398
ORIGINAL ARTICLE

© 1995 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc.

Brachial Plexus Palsy Involving the Posterior Shoulder at Spontaneous Vaginal Delivery

Gary D.V. Hankins, Steven L. Clark
  • Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wilford Hall Medical Center, San Antonio, Texas, and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
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Publication History

Publication Date:
04 March 2008 (online)

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ABSTRACT

Brachial plexus injuries sustained at birth have most often been attributed to the maneuvers performed when attempting to relieve a shoulder dystocia or to deliver a breech vaginally. In the case now reported, the brachial plexus injury involved the posterior shoulder. As the delivery was spontaneous and without forceps or manual rotation, with delivery effected using only the McRobert's maneuver, it is hypothesized that maternal expulsive forces in conjunction with lodging of the posterior shoulder on the sacral promontory resulted in the injury.

Keywords

Shoulder dystocia - brachial plexus injury