Posterior approach for double nerve transfer for restoration of shoulder function in upper brachial plexus palsy.
Restoration of shoulder function is one of the most critical goals of treatment of brachial plexus injuries. Primary repair or nerve grafting of avulsion injuries of the upper brachial plexus in adults often leads to poor recovery. Nerve transfers have provided an alternative treatment with great potential for improved return of function. Many different nerves have been utilized as donor nerves for transfer to the suprascapular nerve and axillary nerve for return of shoulder function with variable results. As our knowledge of shoulder neuromuscular anatomy and physiology improves and our experience with nerve transfers increases, so evolve the specific transfer procedures. This article presents a technique and rationale for reconstructing shoulder function by transferring the distal spinal accessory nerve to the suprascapular nerve and the nerve branch to the medial head of the triceps to the axillary nerve, both through a posterior approach.
Colbert
Stephen H
SH
Hand and Microsurgery, Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.
Mackinnon
Susan
S
Plast Reconstr Surg. 1995 Jul;96(1):122-8
7604091
Neurosurgery. 2002 Jun;50(6):1277-82
12015846
Hand Clin. 1999 Nov;15(4):643-66, ix
10563268
J Hand Surg Am. 2001 Mar;26(2):303-14
11279578
Microsurgery. 2003;23(2):105-8
12740881
Neurosurgery. 2006 Apr;58(4 Suppl 2):ONS-366-70; discussion ONS-370
16582662
J Neurosci. 1988 Mar;8(3):1026-31
3346713
J Hand Surg Am. 2005 Sep;30(5):978-85
16182054
Plast Reconstr Surg. 2005 Jan;115(1):240-4
15622257
Ann Surg. 1948 Feb;127(2):317-26
17859078
Hand Clin. 2000 Feb;16(1):131-9, ix
10696582
J Neurosurg. 1999 Oct;91(4):601-4
10507381
J Neurosurg. 1992 Feb;76(2):191-7
1730947
J Hand Surg Am. 2003 Jul;28(4):628-32
12877851
J Hand Surg Am. 2004 Jan;29(1):131-9
14751116
J Hand Surg Am. 2003 Jul;28(4):633-8
12877852
Exp Brain Res. 1994;100(2):345-52
7813671
Plast Reconstr Surg. 1990 Sep;86(3):502-9
2385668
J Neurosurg. 2003 Feb;98(2):313-8
12593617
Tech Hand Up Extrem Surg. 2004 Mar;8(1):51-5
16518240
Chin Med J (Engl). 1991 Mar;104(3):208-11
2065531
J Hand Surg Am. 1994 Mar;19(2):232-7
8201186