Outcomes analysis of phrenic nerve transfer to anterior division of the upper trunk of brachial plexus

Objective To analyze the risk factor related to the effectiveness by taking a long period follow-up study of 40 brachial plexus injuried patients whose phrenic nerve transferred to the anterior division of upper trunk to recover the function of elbow flexion, and to help to improve the effectiveness and select the best surgical indication,Methods A long period follow-up study was carried out in 40 patients who had been operated with phrenic nerve transfer to the anterior division of upper trunk from 2002 to 2005, the effectiveness and the factors related were observed,Results The effectiveness of the elbow flexion function recovery of 40 patients was 82.5%,But the effectiveness of the patients whose age over 40, course of disease over one year and the attenuation of pre-operative latency of phrenic nerve evoked potential (LAT)≥20% was not good. Conclusion The surgical procedure of phrenic nerve transfer to the anterior division of upper trunk has such advantages as satisfied outcome, simple manipulation and minor trauma, and it can be advocated for clinical application to treat the patients whose division of brachial plexus is fine,But to those whose age over 40, course of disease over one year and the attenuation of pre-operative LAT of phrenic nerve≥20% , it should be used carefully.