Technique of harvesting the gracilis for free functioning muscle transplantation

In this article, we describe our technique and experience in harvesting the gracilis muscle for free functioning muscle transplantation (FFMT). The gracilis is the most commonly used muscle for FFMT. The main indication for gracilis FFMT is traumatic brachial plexus injury. Gracilis muscle has a class 2 vascular pedicle, with a dominant vascular pedicle originating from the profunda femoris vessels and a single motor nerve originating from the obturator nerve. During gracilis harvest, it is important to include the entire fascia around the muscle to ensure vascularity of the skin paddle and enhance muscle gliding in its new bed. Mobilization of the adductor longus allows tracing of the pedicle to its origin from the profunda femoris vessels, hence, achieving the maximum available length of the pedicle. Lengthening of gracilis tendon with a periosteal strip provides a free gracilis long enough to span the distance from the clavicle to the distal forearm. The main complications are related to the wound, and these include delayed healing, infection, and scar-related problems. The functional deficit after gracilis harvest is negligible.