title: Free Flap Functional Muscle Transfers.
abstract: Free functional muscle transfers remain a powerful reconstructive tool to restore upper extremity function when other options such as tendon or nerve transfers are not available. This reconstructive technique is commonly used for patients following trauma, ischemic contractures, and brachial plexopathies. Variable outcomes have been reported following free functional muscle transfers that are related to motor nerve availability and reinnervation. This article highlights considerations around donor motor nerve selection, dissection, and use of the gracilis muscle, and the surgical approach to performing a free functional muscle transfer to restore elbow flexion and/or digit flexion.
authors.affiliation: OrthoCarolina, Division of Hand Surgery, Hand Center, 1915 Randolph Road, 2nd Floor, Charlotte, NC 28207, USA. Electronic address: ryan.garcia@orthocarolina.com.
authors.forename: Ryan M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Garcia
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, 2301 Erwin Road, Durham, NC 27705, USA.
authors.forename: David S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Ruch
mesh_terms: D020516:Brachial Plexus Neuropathies / Q000601:surgery*; D004551:Elbow Joint / Q000601:surgery*; D058752:Free Tissue Flaps / Q000637:transplantation*; D006801:Humans; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000601:surgery*; D016067:Nerve Transfer
keywords: Flap; Free; Functional; Muscle; Transfer