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Updated: Apr 28, 2026

Structured Motor Rehabilitation After Selective Nerve Transfers
Published on: August 15, 2019
Thoracodorsal nerve transfer for elbow flexion reconstruction in infraclavicular brachial plexus injuries
Francisco Soldado1, Marcos F Ghizoni1, Jayme Bertelli1
1Department of Pediatric Upper Extremity Surgery and Microsurgery, Hospital Sant Joan de Deu, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Department of Neurosurgery, Center of Biological and Health Sciences, University of the South of Santa Catarina (Unisul), Tubarão, Brazil; Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Governador Celso Ramos Hospital, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil.
Purpose:
To report the clinical results of thoracodorsal nerve (TDN) transfer to the biceps nerve for elbow flexion restoration in infraclavicular brachial plexus injuries.
Methods:
Five male patients, mean age 33 years and affected with infraclavicular brachial plexus injuries, underwent a direct coaptation of the TDN to the nerve to the biceps an average of 8 months after injury. The procedure included the transfer of a branch of the TDN to the musculocutaneous nerve in 2 patients.
Results:
All patients achieved M4 elbow flexion strength according to the British Medical Research Council scale at a mean follow-up of 22 months.
Conclusions:
Direct TDN transfer seems to be a useful surgical procedure for restoring elbow flexion in patients with infraclavicular brachial plexus injuries.
Type Of Study/Level Of Evidence:
Therapeutic IV.
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