Outcomes of Transferring a Healthy Motor Fascicle From the Radial Nerve to a Branch for the Triceps to Recover Elbow Extension in Partial Brachial Plexus Palsy

BACKGROUND: Triceps reinnervation is an important objective to pursue when repairing the brachial plexus for cases with upper roots injuries, and a number of different techniques have been developed in order to restore elbow extension in such cases. OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate the surgical outcomes associated with the technique of transferring a single healthy motor fascicle from the radial nerve of the affected arm to a branch innervating 1 of the 3 heads of the triceps. METHODS: A retrospective study of 13 adult patients sustaining an upper trunk syndrome associated with total elbow extension palsy who underwent the proposed technique as part of the surgical planning for reconstruction of the brachial plexus. RESULTS: Outcomes scored as M4 for elbow extension were noted in 9 cases (70%), M3 in 3 (23%), andM1 in 1 subject (7%). No patient considered the postoperative strength for carpal or finger extension as impaired. There were no differences in outcomes by using a fascicle activating carpal or finger extension as donor, as well as regarding the use of the branch to the medial or lateral head of the triceps as the recipient. CONCLUSION: The technique of transferring a healthy motor fascicle fromthe radial nerve of the affected side to one of its non functional motor branches to the triceps is an effective and safe procedure for recovering elbow extension function in patients sustaining partial injuries of the brachial plexus.