Nerve transfers for traumatic brachial plexus injury: advantages and problems

In recent years nerve transfers have been increasingly used to broaden reconstructive options for brachial plexus reconstruction. Nerve transfer is a procedure where an expendable nerve is connected to a more important nerve in order to reinnervate that nerve. This article outlines the experience of the Scottish National Brachial Plexus Injury Service as our use of nerve transfers has increased. Outcomes have improved for reconstruction of the paralysed shoulder using transfer of the accessory nerve to the suprascapular nerve. Medial pectoral to musculocutaneous nerve transfer has proved reliable for restoration of elbow flexion for patients with C5,6 and C5,6,7 injuries. Problems with nerve transfers include morbidity in the donor nerve territory, co-contraction, and pre-existing injury to the donor nerve. There is a balance of risks in these procedures which should be weighed up in individual cases.