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Nerve transfers for restoration of upper extremity motor function in a child with upper extremity motor deficits due to transverse myelitis: Case report
Author(s) -
Dorsi Michael J.,
Belzberg Allan J.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
microsurgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.031
H-Index - 63
eISSN - 1098-2752
pISSN - 0738-1085
DOI - 10.1002/micr.20939
Subject(s) - medicine , musculocutaneous nerve , brachialis , axillary nerve , ulnar nerve , biceps , weakness , surgery , elbow , microsurgery , suprascapular nerve , median nerve , anatomy , brachial plexus
Abstract Transverse myelitis (TM) may result in permanent neurologic dysfunction. Nerve transfers have been developed to restore function after peripheral nerve injury. Here, we present a case report of a child with permanent right upper extremity weakness due to TM that underwent nerve transfers. The following procedures were performed: double fascicle transfer from median nerve and ulnar nerve to the brachialis and biceps branches of the musculocutaneous nerve, spinal accessory to suprascapular nerve, and medial cord to axillary nerve end‐to‐side neurorraphy. At 22 months, the patient demonstrated excellent recovery of elbow flexion with minimal improvement in shoulder abduction. We propose that the treatment of permanent deficits from TM represents a novel indication for nerve transfers in a subset of patients. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery, 2012.