title: Thoracodorsal nerve transfer for triceps reinnervation in partial brachial plexus injuries.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To report the clinical outcomes of thoracodorsal nerve (TDN) transfers to the triceps motor branches for elbow extension restoration in patients with partial brachial plexus injuries (BPI).
  
  
  METHODS
  Eight male patients of mean age 23 years and suffering from a partial BPI underwent direct coaptation of the TDN to the nerve of the upper medial and long heads of the triceps, an average 6 months after their accident.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Seven patients achieved M4 elbow extension strength and one patient M3, according to the BMRC scale, after a mean follow-up of 21 months.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Direct TDN transfer might be a valid surgical procedure for the restoration of elbow extension in patients with partial BPI.
authors: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Pediatric Upper Extremity Surgery and Microsurgery, Hospital Sant Joan De Deu, "Universitat De Barcelona,", Barcelona, Spain.
authors: Francisco
authors: F
authors: Soldado
authors: Center of Biological and Health Sciences, Department of Neurosurgery, University of the South of Santa Catarina (Unisul), Tubaraão, Brazil.
authors: Marcos F
authors: MF
authors: Ghizoni
authors: Center of Biological and Health Sciences, Department of Neurosurgery, University of the South of Santa Catarina (Unisul), Tubaraão, Brazil.|Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Governador Celso Ramos Hospital, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil.
authors: Jayme
authors: J
authors: Bertelli
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001917:Brachial Plexus / Q000293:injuries*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016067:Nerve Transfer / Q000379:methods*; D059348:Peripheral Nerve Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013909:Thorax / Q000294:innervation*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult