*Corresponding author:
Jayme Bertelli, Hospital Celso Ramos, Department of Neurosurgery, BrazilReceived: November 21, 2018; Published: December 04, 2018
DOI: 10.26717/BJSTR.2018.11.002139
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Reconstruction of elbow extension is a first priority in the management of tetraplegia patients. Traditionally, posterior deltoid and biceps to triceps muscle transfers were used; but, in recent years, nerve transfers have become the preferred choice of a few surgeons. Nerve transfer reconstruction failures exist, however, often related to poor donor nerves, prolonged intervals between the injury and surgery and advanced patient age. As a valid surgical alternative in such cases, we propose transferring the lower trapezius muscle to reconstruct elbow extension, since this procedure already is being performed successfully in brachial plexus injury patients. We now report two patients in whom a lower trapezius transfer was employed as a successful salvage procedure after failed nerve-transfer surgery.
Keywords : Brachial Plexus; Tetraplegia; Nerve Transfer; Trapezio Muscle; Elbow Extension
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