Transfer of ulnar nerve partial fascicles and brachial plexus extrinsic nerve for treatment of the brachial plexus injury

Objective To evaluate the clinical effects of partial fascicle from the ulnar nerve to biceps branch of musculocutaneous nerve to treat brachial plexus injury. Methods Six cases of brachial plexus injury were involved in this group.3 cases were upper trunk injury and 3 cases were accompanied partial lower trunk injury.A partial fascicle of ulnar nerve transfered to repair biceps branch underwent in all cases,phrenic nerve or accessory nerve were transfered to repair suprascapular nerve.The mean time from injury to surgery was 2.8 months.Patients were evaluated with regard to elbow flexion and should abduction ansle,grip strengthen,morbidity of ulnar nerve function lose. Results Five cases out of six got follow up.The mean period of follow-up was 18 months(range from 9-30 months).The average reinnervation time for the biceps muscle was 3.3 months. All the patients' recovery of elbow flexion Was M_3~+-M_5; and the shoulder adduction was 90°-180°;the grip strength was not downgraded. No notable impairment of the donor site nerve function was observed in 4 cases,just 1 case with a little more fascicle been harvested had partial ulnar nerve impairments. Conclusion The use of ulnar nerve partial fascicle to biceps branch combined with phrenic nerve or accessory nerve to suprascapular nerve to reconstruct upper roots avulsion of the brachial plexus is a valid and convenient procedure.It can obtain good functional restoration in elbow flexion and shoulder adduction in a resonable time.The cases with partial lower trunk injury of brachial plexus,the partial fascicle of ulnar nerve can still be used for repair the musculocutaneous nerve. Key words: Brachial plexus injury; Nerve transfer;  Unar nerve;  Microsurgery