Evaluation of nerve transfer options for treating total brachial plexus avulsion injury: A retrospective study of 73 participants.

ABSTRACT: Despite recent great progress in diagnosis and microsurgical repair, the prognosis in total brachial plexus-avulsion injury remains unfavorable. Insufficient number of donors and unreasonable use of donor nerves might be key factors. To identify an optimal treatment strategy for this condition, we conducted a retrospective review. Seventy-three patients with total brachial plexus avulsion injury were followed up for an average of 7.3 years. Our analysis demonstrated no significant difference in elbow-flexion recovery between phrenic nerve-transfer (25 cases), phrenic nerve-graft (19 cases), intercostal nerve (17 cases), or contralateral C7-transfer (12 cases) groups. Restoration of shoulder function was attempted through anterior accessory nerve (27 cases), posterior accessory nerve (10 ca

SUBMITTER: Gao KM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5900510 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature