How do you counsel patients with postmedian sternotomy plexopathy?

Brachial plexopathy after median sternotomy is not very common. Its frequency varies in different studies but it's most likely between 0.5-5%. The most likely mechanism is traction of the anterior rami of the C8>T1 roots, often associated with a fracture or upward displacement of the first rib. A recently published study (Reference 1) with 10 patients, suggests a favorable prognosis overall, as all patients recovered motor function of affected muscles (EDC, hand intrinsics, flexor digitorum supe...