GENESIS & HISTORY

BRACHIAL PLEXUS SURGERY GROUP OF INDIA

In the year 2002 when we had the first National Workshop on Perforator flaps at Chennai, I had the opportunity to discuss with many of the microsurgeons of our country about the problem of Brachial Plexus Surgery. It was generally felt that unpredictable results, the lack of information about its management, the poor interest among our junior colleagues in this problem and the fact that the incidence is ever increasing need a focused attention of many of us as reconstructive surgeons. It was suggested that those of us who are interested in this problem should meet on a common forum and find ways and means of improving the results and educate our younger colleagues and disseminate information to the public. It was this discussion that culminated in sending the following appeal to all the reconstructive surgeons in this country.

Prof. R.Venkataswami

Founder President

Prof. R.Venkataswami M.S.(Gen).,M.Ch.(Plastic),
F.A.M.S.,F.R.C.S(Edin).,D.Sc.,(Hon),
Head of the Apollo's National Institute for Reconstructive Hand Surgery, Micro Surgery and Plastic Surgery. Emeritus Professor in Plastic Surgery
Dr.MGR Medical University Chennai.

 

2/99, Dr.Alagappa Road,
Chennai-600 084
Phone : 26411030

       
Dear Colleague,
My greetings to you.

 

28.02.2003
Chennai
     
As a reconstructive surgeon I would like to draw your attention to the fact that surgery of the Brachial Plexus is one of the most neglected areas in our country. Unfortunately injuries to the brachial plexus affect the most productive age group of our country. Those who see them early are probably not aware of the current concepts in the management of brachial plexus injuries. This has resulted in large number of patients being left with no proper advice. The maximum advice they get from the surgeons is to wait and watch, resulting in gross wasting of muscles leading to a situation where nothing much can be done to these victims. The same with birth Injuries to brachial plexus.

Even among the reconstructive surgeons very few seem to be interested in the surgery of brachial plexus. At the same time a lot of young surgeons seem to be keen on knowing more about the management of this problem.

It is high time some of us who are doing brachial plexus surgery join together as an academic body. Towards this end it is proposed to form a group called
 
 

"BRACHIAL PLEXUS SURGERY GROUP OF INDIA"

 
The aims are
 
1.  To share our knowledge by correspondence and periodical meetings.

2. To transfer technology from outside by organising workshops with the help of some of the international Faculty who are doing excellent work in this area.

3.  To stimulate interest and train young reconstructive surgeons.

4.  To propagate the importance of early surgery among the Reconstructive Surgeons, Orthopaedic and Neurosurgeons.

5.  To create awareness of the benefit of early surgery among the public.
 
I would greatly welcome all those who are interested in this problem to join this group. During January 2004 it is planned to inaugurate this academic body along with a workshop in brachial plexus surgery with the help of both national and International faculty.

Those of you who are doing considerable work in this field can join as founder members. Kindly send your confirmation to me. We will inform you of further developments.

With regards,
Prof. R. Venkataswami