{"id":"94519b9b-0a2d-4fb5-8e24-5b2855c6e4ad","slug":"nerves-transfers-for-functional-hand-recovery-in-traumatic-lower-brachial-plexopathy","title":"Nerves transfers for functional hand recovery in traumatic lower brachial plexopathy","authors":["Fernando Henrique Souza","Silvya Nery Bernardino","Auricelio Batista Cezar Junior","Hugo André de Lima Martins","Isabel Nery Bernardino Souza","Regina Nery Bernardino Souza","Hildo Rocha Cirne Azevedo-Filho"],"abstract":"Background: Distal nerve transfers are an innovative modality for the treatment of C8-T1 brachial plexus lesions. The purpose of this case series is to report the authors’ results with hand restoration function by nerve transfer in patients with lower brachial plexus injury. Methods: Three consecutive nerve transfers were performed in a series of 11 patients to restore hand function after injury to the lower brachial plexus: brachialis motor branch to anterior interosseous nerve (AIN) and supinator branch to the posterior interosseous nerve (PIN) in a first surgical procedure, and AIN to pronator quadratus branch of ulnar nerve between 4 and 6 months later. Results: In all, 11 male patients underwent 33 surgical procedures. Time between brachial plexus injury and surgery was a mean of 11 months (range 4–13 months). Postoperative follow-up ranged from 12 to 24 months. We observed recovery of M3 or better finger flexion strength (AIN) and wrist extension (PIN) in 8 of the 11 surgically treated upper limbs. These patients recovered full thumb and finger extension between 6 and 12 months of surgery, without significant loss of donor function. Conclusion: Nerve transfers represent a way of restoring volitional control of upper extremity function in patients with C8-T1 brachial plexus injury.","thumbnailUrl":"https://sni-digital-videos.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/94519b9b-0a2d-4fb5-8e24-5b2855c6e4ad/featured/hero-1781563019846.png","publishDate":"2020-10-29T00:00:00.000Z","doi":"10.25259/SNI_218_2019","categories":["Trauma","Original Article"],"fullTextUrl":"https://surgicalneurologyint.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/10365/SNI-11-358.pdf"}