Nerve transfer for treatment of root avulsion of brachial plexus upper trunk

Objective To investigate the treatment outcome of nerve transfer in root avulsion injury of brachial plexus upper trunk. Methods 14 Patients with upper trunk root avulsion treated from March 1990 to February 1998 were involved. Transfer of the ipsilateral lateral pectoral nerve to the axillary nerve and thoracodorsal nerve to the musculocutaneous nerve was done to restore deltoid and biceps brachii function. The patients were followed for more than one year. Results One year postoperatively, restoration of deltoid muscle power was M4 for 8 cases, M3 for 4 cases, and M3- for 2 cases. Muscle power of the biceps brachii was M4 for all 14 cases. Conclusions Ipsilateral transfer of lateral pectoral nerve and thoracodorsal nerve leads to satisfactory outcome in treatment of root avulsion injury of brachial plexus upper trunk. No major impairment of the muscles innervated by the middle and lower trunk was found.