2015•MicrosurgeryRequires access
Intercostal nerve transfer to the biceps motor branch in complete traumatic brachial plexus injuries
Álvaro Baik Cho, Raquel Bernardelli Iamaguchi, Gustavo Bersani Silva, Renata Gregorio Paulos, Leandro Yoshinobu Kiyohara, Luiz Sorrenti, Klícia de Oliveira Costa Riker Teles de Menezes, Marcelo Rosa de Rezende, Teng Hsiang Wei, Rames Mattar
Open publisher page 23 citations
Abstract
The purpose of this report is to critically evaluate our results of two intercostal nerve transfers directly to the biceps motor branch in complete traumatic brachial plexus injuries. From January 2007 to November 2012, 19 patients were submitted to this type of surgery, but only 15 of them had a follow-up for ≥2 years and were included in this report. The mean interval from trauma to surgery was 6.88 months (ranging from 3 to 9 months). Two intercostals nerves were dissected and transferred directly to the biceps motor branch. The mean follow-up was 38.06 months (ranging from 24 to 62 months). Ten patients (66.6%) recovered an elbow flexion strength ≥M3. Four of them (26.66%) recovered a stronger elbow flexion ≥M4. One patient (6.25%) recovered an M2 elbow flexion and four patients (26.66%) did not regain any movement. We concluded that two intercostal nerve transfers to the biceps motor branch is a procedure with moderate results regarding elbow flexion recovery, but it is still one of the few options available in complete brachial plexus injuries, especially in five roots avulsion scenario.