title: Free function muscle transfers for upper extremity reconstruction: a review of indications, techniques, and outcomes.
abstract: Free functional muscle transfer (FFMT) replaces destroyed, denervated, or resected skeletal muscle units in the upper extremity with functioning skeletal muscle from other locations in the body. Common indications for FFMT include brachial plexus injuries, ischemic contracture, tumor resection, and extensive direct muscle trauma. Recent studies have focused on improving patient outcomes through refinements in muscle flap harvest and inset, donor nerve selection, and postoperative management. In this review, we assess and summarize the current literature on FFMT, with emphasis on etiopathogenesis, diagnosis, treatment, postoperative management, and clinical outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Division of Plastic Surgery and the Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania; and the Upper Extremity Center of Excellence, Shriners Hospital for Children, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
authors.forename: John P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Fischer
authors.forename: River M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Elliott
authors.forename: Scott H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Kozin
authors.forename: L Scott
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Levin
mesh_terms: D001917:Brachial Plexus / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D020516:Brachial Plexus Neuropathies / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D058752:Free Tissue Flaps / Q000637:transplantation*; D006084:Graft Rejection; D006085:Graft Survival; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000601:surgery / Q000637:transplantation*; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D020127:Recovery of Function; D018570:Risk Assessment; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D034941:Upper Extremity / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery
keywords: Free muscle transfer; brachial plexus; functional; injury; outcome; review