title: Functional outcome and quality of life after traumatic total brachial plexus injury treated by nerve transfer or single/double free muscle transfers: a comparative study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Between 2002 and 2011, 81 patients with a traumatic total brachial plexus injury underwent reconstruction by double free muscle transfer (DFMT, 47 cases), single muscle transfer (SMT, 16 cases) or nerve transfers (NT, 18 cases).
  
  
  METHODS
  They were evaluated for functional outcome and quality of life (QoL) using the Disability of Arm, Shoulder and Hand questionnaire, both pre- and post-operatively. The three groups were compared and followed-up for at least 24 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean shoulder abduction and flexion were comparable in all groups, but external rotation was significantly better in the DFMT group as were range and quantitative power of elbow flexion. Patients who had undergone DFMT had reasonable total active finger movement and hook grip strength. All groups showed improvement in function at a level greater than a minimum clinically important difference. The DFMT group showed the greatest improvement.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients in the DFMT group had a better functional outcome and QoL recovery than those in the NT and SMT groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Double free muscle transfer procedure is capable of restoring maximum function in patients of total brachial plexus palsy.
authors: Ogori Daiichi General Hospital, 862-3, Shimogo, Ogori, Yamaguchi-City, Yamaguchi-Prefecture, 754-0002, Japan.
authors: N G
authors: NG
authors: Satbhai
authors: Ogori Daiichi General Hospital, 862-3, Shimogo, Ogori, Yamaguchi-City, Yamaguchi-Prefecture, 754-0002, Japan.
authors: K
authors: K
authors: Doi
authors: Ogori Daiichi General Hospital, 862-3, Shimogo, Ogori, Yamaguchi-City, Yamaguchi-Prefecture, 754-0002, Japan.
authors: Y
authors: Y
authors: Hattori
authors: Ogori Daiichi General Hospital, 862-3, Shimogo, Ogori, Yamaguchi-City, Yamaguchi-Prefecture, 754-0002, Japan.
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Sakamoto
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001917:Brachial Plexus / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D020516:Brachial Plexus Neuropathies / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D004551:Elbow Joint / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D018737:Hand Strength / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000637:transplantation*; D016067:Nerve Transfer / Q000379:methods*; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000379:methods; D011300:Preoperative Care / Q000379:methods; D011788:Quality of Life; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D020127:Recovery of Function / Q000502:physiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Free functioning muscle transfers; Functional outcome; Nerve transfers; Quality of life; Total brachial plexus palsy