Free functional muscle transfer for the upper extremity.
Free functional muscle transfers are an excellent treatment option in patients when significant time has passed after a nerve injury. In addition, they are the treatment of choice for reconstruction of established Volkmann's ischemic contracture, muscle loss from trauma, or tumor resection, and in congenital muscle absence. In cases where there is both soft tissue and functional muscle loss, free functional muscle transfers can address these problems together. This article focuses on the key principles for functional reconstruction of the upper extremity with free functional muscle transfers.
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Southern California, USC University Hospital, LAC + USC Medical Center, 2025 Zonal Avenue, GNH 3900, Los Angeles, CA 90089-9312, USA.
Alexander
A
Seal
Milan
M
Stevanovic
D058752:Free Tissue Flaps; D006230:Hand Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000637:transplantation*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D020127:Recovery of Function; D016378:Tissue Transplantation / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards