Hopkins syndrome is a rare cause of poliomyelitis-like paralysis affecting 1 or more
extremities after an acute attack of asthma. The exact etiology of Hopkins syndrome
is not known. A 4-year-old girl developed acute asthma followed by complete flaccid
paralysis of the left upper extremity. She underwent staged reconstruction using the
double free muscle transfer technique. Rigorous postoperative physiotherapy was carried
out to achieve a good functional outcome. At recent follow-up, 27 months after the
first procedure, the patient was able to effectively use the reconstructed hand for
most daily activities. She had good control and could perform 2-handed activities.
The selection of a suitable operative treatment and suitable donor nerves is critical,
and there are no clear guidelines in the literature. The double free muscle transfer
can be effectively employed in similar cases to restore grasping function.
Key words
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Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
November 8,
2013
Received:
June 13,
2013
Footnotes
No benefits in any form have been received or will be received related directly or indirectly to the subject of this article.
Identification
Copyright
© 2014 American Society for Surgery of the Hand. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
