[Cervical nerve root transfer from the healthy side in the treatment of brachial plexus root avulsion]

Cervical nerve root transfer from the healthy side for treatment of obstinate brachial plexus root avulsion was designed in August, 1986. Up to the present, we have performed the operation in 50 cases. Preliminary effective rate reached 70% in 1-2 years follow-up studies. The anatomical basis of the operation and the rationality of C7 nerve root transfer from the healthy side are discussed in detail in this paper. Long term follow-up studies showed that C7 nerve root transfer from the healthy side does not affect the functions of the healthy side. The authors believe that bridging C7 nerve root of the healthy side with the ulnar nerve of the affected side yields better results than bridging it free or vascular pedicle sural nerve. Factors affecting the results of C7 nerve root transfer from the healthy side are analyzed in this paper.