The Reconstructive Strategy for Improving Elbow Function in Late Obstetric Brachial Plexus Palsy:

Free Muscle Transfer in Posttraumatic Plexopathies Part II: The Elbow

The indications for free muscle transfer in brachial plexopathies are prolonged denervation time or inadequate upper extremity function after primary nerve reconstruction. The purpose of this study is to analyze the outcomes of free muscle transfer for elbow flexion and extension in brachial plexopathies in relation to the different muscles used and the respective motor donors. Seventy-three muscles were transferred for elbow flexion and ten for elbow extension. Latissimus dorsi (LD) was used in 37 cases, gracilis in 28, rectus femoris (RF) in seven, and vastus lateralis in one. Five LD and five gracilis were transferred for elbow extension. Patients younger than 15 years yielded better results than older patients for elbow flexion. When LD was transferred, the mean muscle grading (MG) was 3.33 ± 0.25 when the neurotization was from intercostals; these outcomes were statistically significant when compared with outcomes of free gracilis transfer (MG 2.25 ± 0.6). There was also a statistically significant difference when free LD was neurotized with three intercostals as compared with two intercostals nerves. RF yielded also good results when neurotized from contralateral C7 (cC7; MG 3.67 ± 0.6). For elbow extension, the better outcomes of LD were not statistically significant. Among all the free muscle transfers for upper extremity reconstruction, elbow reanimation yielded the most rewarding outcomes. The selection of powerful muscle units was more important than the effect of neurotization which was not as strong as it was in muscle transfers for facial or hand reanimation.

Restoration of elbow extension after primary reconstruction in obstetric brachial plexus palsy

BACKGROUND

Elbow extension is important for the elbow joint, and it is more difficult to restore with microsurgery than elbow flexion. The purpose of this article is to describe the experience of the authors with elbow extension reconstruction in obstetric brachial plexus palsy patients. The outcomes were analyzed in relation to the type of brachial plexus lesion, timing of surgery, and the type of nerve reconstruction.

METHODS

Fifty-five children with obstetric brachial plexus palsy who underwent nerve reconstruction for elbow extension restoration were studied. The mean follow-up period was 6.4 years (range, 2-22 y). Reinnervation of the triceps muscle was accomplished with indirect neurotization of the posterior cord from intraplexus donors or with direct neurotization from extraplexus donors, such as the contralateral C7 and the intercostal nerves.

RESULTS

Thirty-seven (67%) of the 55 cases showed good or excellent results (>or=M3+). The average postoperative muscle grading for the triceps was 3.34+/-0.99 compared with 1.19+/-1.29 preoperatively (P<0.0001). Patients with C5 to C7 palsy achieved significantly stronger elbow extension than those with C5 to T1 palsy. In addition, the timing of surgery significantly influenced the final outcome.

CONCLUSIONS

Elbow extension is one of big challenges to be restored, especially in obstetric brachial plexus palsy. In early cases (within 6 mo) intraplexus reconstruction of the posterior cord can give excellent results. In later cases, or in cases of multiple avulsions, extraplexus motor donors, which selectively targeted the triceps, can give variable results.