Phrenic nerve transfer for brachial plexus motor neurotization

We report a series of 164 patients who underwent phrenic neurotization to elements of the brachial plexus with root avulsion injuries. Recipient nerves included musculocutaneous nerve in 125 patients (78 direct neurotizations and 48 with intervening autograft), median nerve in 10 patients, and a variety of other nerves in 28 patients. Sixty-five patients presented a follow-up period of 2 or more years. Of this group, 55 patients (84.6%) achieved a recovery of M-3 or better. We observed no long-term deleterious effects on respiratory function.