Patient outcome following a thoracodorsal to musculocutaneous nerve transfer for reconstruction of elbow flexion

This study reports patient outcome following a thoracodorsal to musculocutaneous nerve transfer. We retrospectively reviewed the charts of six patients who had undergone transfer of the thoracodorsal nerve to the musculocutaneous nerve for reconstruction of elbow flexion. The mean age was 47 years (standard deviation: 24 years; range: 17-72 years). The mean time from injury to surgery was 3 months (standard deviation: 2 months; range: 1-5 months). In all cases, the biceps muscle was successfully reinnervated; in one case the Medical Research Council (MRC) muscle grade was grade 5, in four cases it was grade 4, and in one case it was grade 2. No patients complained of functional weakness with shoulder adduction and/or internal rotation. In the majority of cases, transfer of the thoracodorsal nerve to the musculocutaneous nerve provides excellent recovery of elbow flexion. (C) 2002 The British Association of Plastic Surgeons.