Phrenic nerve transfer for treatment of root avulsion of the brachial plexus

Phrenic nerve transfer was performed in 164 patients with root avulsion of the brachial plexus. The methods of operation consisted of phrenic nerve transfer to and anastomosis with the musculocutaneous nerve, the phrenic nerve bridging to the musculocutaneous nerve, phrenic nerve anastomosis with or bridging to the median nerve, and phrenic nerve anastomosis with other nerves. Follow-up of 65 patients for more than 2 years showed an effective rate of 84.6%. The result indicated that this operation has no deleterious effects on respiration, and the surgical effects are related to severity of injury, duration, mode of operation and patient's age.