Open AccessTransfer of the Medial Pectoral Nerve: Myth or Reality?
Author(s) -
Miroslav Samardžić,
Danica Grujičić,
Lukas Rasulić,
Dragoljub Bacetić
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
neurosurgery/neurosurgery online
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.485
H-Index - 34
eISSN - 1081-1281
pISSN - 0148-396X
DOI - 10.1097/00006123-200206000-00019
Subject(s) - medicine , musculocutaneous nerve , axillary nerve , brachial plexus , accessory nerve , anatomy , radial nerve , surgery , epineurial repair , nerve root , anesthesia , peripheral nerve
OBJECTIVE Transfer of the medial pectoral nerve is one of the most controversial procedures used to reinnervate the paralyzed upper arm because of brachial plexus spinal nerve root avulsion or directly irreparable proximal lesions of spinal nerves. The purpose of this study was to determine the value of this type of nerve transfer to the musculocutaneous and axillary nerves. METHODS The 25 patients included in the study comprised 14 patients who had nerve transfer to the musculocutaneous nerve and 11 who underwent nerve transfer to the axillary nerve. These patients’ functional recovery and the time course of their recovery were analyzed according to the type of transfer of one donor nerve or the donor nerve in combination with other donors. RESULTS Useful functional recovery was achieved in 85.7% of patients who had nerve transfer to the musculocutaneous nerve and in 81.8% of patients who underwent nerve transfer to the axillary nerve. There was no significant difference in results with regard to the type of nerve transfer and which recipient nerves were involved. A strong trend toward better results after procedures involving the use of a donor nerve combined with other donors was observed, however. CONCLUSION Our surgical results suggest that the transfer of the medial pectoral nerve to the musculocutaneous nerve and also to the axillary nerve may be a reliable and effective procedure.