title: Direct plexus repair by grafts supplemented by nerve transfers.
abstract: This article reviews the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center experience with direct repair of brachial plexus lacerations, gunshot wounds, and stretch/contusive/avulsive injuries. In the stretch category, limited outcomes with direct repair have led to addition of nerve transfers rather than their exclusive use. It is important to per-form direct plexus repair in conjunction with nerve transfers in the same patient when-ever possible. The intent of such a "pants-over-vest" approach is to maximize axonal input to denervated structures.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, 1542 Tulane Avenue, Box T7-3, New Orleans, LA 70112-2822, USA. dkline@lsuhsc.edu
authors.forename: David G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Kline
authors.forename: Robert L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Tiel
mesh_terms: D001917:Brachial Plexus / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery*; D020516:Brachial Plexus Neuropathies / Q000145:classification / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D003288:Contusions / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D022125:Lacerations / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery; D016067:Nerve Transfer / Q000379:methods*; D014948:Wounds, Gunshot / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery