Results of ulnar nerve neurotization to biceps brachii muscle in brachial plexus injury.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the factors influencing the results of ulnar nerve neurotization at the motor branch of the brachii biceps muscle, aiming at the restoration of elbow flexion in patients with brachial plexus injury.


METHODS
19 patients, with 18 men and 1 woman, mean age 28.7 years. Eight patients had injury to roots C5-C6 and 11, to roots C5-C6-C7. The average time interval between injury and surgery was 7.5 months. Four patients had cervical fractures associated with brachial plexus injury. The postoperative follow-up was 15.7 months.


RESULTS
Eight patients recovered elbow flexion strength MRC grade 4; two, MRC grade 3 and nine, MRC <3. There was no impairment of the previous ulnar nerve function.


CONCLUSIONS
The surgical results of ulnar nerve neurotization at the motor branch of brachii biceps muscle are dependent on the interval between brachial plexus injury and surgical treatment, the presence of associated fractures of the cervical spine and occipital condyle, residual function of the C8-T1 roots after the injury and the involvement of the C7 root. Signs of reinnervation manifested up to 3 months after surgery showed better results in the long term.


METHODS
IV, Case Series.
Institute of Orthopedics and Traumatology of Hospital das Clínicas of the School of Medicine of Universidade de São Paulo.
Marcelo Rosa De
MR
Rezende
Institute of Orthopedics and Traumatology of Hospital das Clínicas of the School of Medicine of Universidade de São Paulo.
Neylor Teofilo Araújo
NT
Rabelo
Institute of Orthopedics and Traumatology of Hospital das Clínicas of the School of Medicine of Universidade de São Paulo.
Clóvis Castanho
CC
Silveira
Institute of Orthopedics and Traumatology of Hospital das Clínicas of the School of Medicine of Universidade de São Paulo.
Pedro Araújo
PA
Petersen
Institute of Orthopedics and Traumatology of Hospital das Clínicas of the School of Medicine of Universidade de São Paulo.
Emygdio José Leomil De
EJ
Paula
Institute of Orthopedics and Traumatology of Hospital das Clínicas of the School of Medicine of Universidade de São Paulo.
Rames
R
Mattar
Brachial plexus/injuries; Elbow/injuries; Nerve transfer; Ulnar nerve