[Repairing brachial plexus root avulsion by nerve transfer].
OBJECTIVE
To summarize the experience of surgical treatment of brachial plexus root avulsion and to discuss the operations for different of types brachial plexus root avulsion.


METHODS
We enrolled 18 cases of brachial plexus root avulsion with different surgical treatment by nerve transfer from October, 1998 to September, 2002. The follow-up time between 2 years 2 months to 5 years 8 months, the mean time being 3 years 10 months.


RESULTS
The 18 patients were followed up more than 2 years. Of the 16 patients who lost shoulder abduction 11 had recovered to more than grade 3 strength of supraspinatus muscle; 4 had recovered to more than grade 3 strength of deltoid muscle. Of the 16 patients who lost elbow flexor function 14 had recovered to more than grade 3 strength of biceps muscle. Of the 6 patients who lost wrist and finger flexion, 2 had recovered to more than grade 3 strength in flexion of wrist and fingers. Of the 4 patients who lost radial nerve function, 3 had recovered to more than grade 3 strength of extend elbow and finger. All of them had recovered grade 3 strength of extend wrist.


CONCLUSIONS
Accurate diagnosis, early operation and refine manipulation are key factors for functional recovery in transferring nerve treatment for brachial plexus root avulsion. Different methods should be selected according to the types of brachial plexus avulsion. All injured nerves should be repaired for young patients.
Wang
Tian-bing
TB
Department of Trauma And Orthopedic, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing 100044, China.
Jiang
Bao-guo
BG
Fu
Zhong-guo
ZG
Zhang
Dian-ying
DY
Chen
Jian-hai
JH
Xu
Hai-lin
HL
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001917:Brachial Plexus / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016067:Nerve Transfer; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D011843:Radiculopathy / Q000601:surgery*