SynthesisBMC musculoskeletal disorders2025
Single versus double tendon transfer for improving shoulder function in brachial plexus birth palsy: a meta-analysis of comparative studies.
Synthesis in BMC musculoskeletal disorders, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
0 citing papers in PubMed.
No citing paper in PubMed yet.
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
9 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundObstetric brachial plexus palsy (OBPP) may result in lifelong shoulder dysfunction despite nerve repair surgery. Tendon transfer has emerged as a surgical option to restore external rotation and abduction in OBPP sequelae. Single and double tendon transfer techniques have been developed, but the optimal approach remains debated. This meta-analysis is the first to compare the range of motion outcomes and complications, particularly loss of midline function (LOM), between the two techniques in managing OBPP sequelae.
methodsOn January 2025, systematic literature search was performed in five databases (PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, Scopus and Web of Science), to identify studies comparing single and double tendon transfer in children with OBPP. Eligible studies underwent quality assessment via MINORS criteria and a meta-analysis using RevMan was conducted to compare the functional outcomes and complications.
resultsFive retrospective studies encompassing 189 patients were analyzed. The pooled mean difference (MD) in the total modified Mallet score between groups was statistically insignificant (MD = 0.09; 95% CI= -0.68 to 0.85;p > 0.05). Analyses for the sub-scores revealed no differences across all sub-scores. However, for Latissimus Dorsi (LD) single transfers, Abdel-Ghani et al. reported 7.7-fold greater odds of LOM (OR = 0.13; 95% CI = 0.04-0.42;p < 0.05), whereas the pooled LOM of Teres Major (TM) single transfers were not significantly different (OR = 0.40; 95% CI = 0.11-1.47;p > 0.05).
conclusionIn conclusion, our meta-analysis suggests that both single and double tendon transfers achieve comparable functional outcomes. However, the data suggests that LD single tendon transfer potentially lowers rate of LOM, though further research is needed to confirm this finding. CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER: Not applicable.
Indexed as
Identifiers
What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.