THE RESULTS OF USING APART OF ULNAR NERVE FOR RESTORATION OF ELBOW FLEXION IN PATIENTS WITH UPPER BRACHIAL PLEXUS INJURY

In upper brachial plexus (C5-C6 or C5-C6-C7 roots) injuries, restoration of elbow flexion is the first aim. Several methods have been used to achieve this goal. Among these procedures, Oberlin s method (transfer of part of ulnar nerve to the nerve to biceps muscle) is the newest one. From April 2002 to March 2003 we used this method in 9 cases, 8 males and I female, of upper brachial plexus injury with impaired active elbow flexion and intact ulnar nerve. Patients age ranged from 9 to 53 years. In 6 acute cases only Oberlin s method was used and in 3 old cases this technique was combined with gracilis free muscle transfer. The minimum follow up period was 6 months. Six cases gained effective elbow flexion and 3 cases showed fair or poor results. No permanent impairment of ulnar nerve function was observed. We found Oberlin s method to be a safe, simple and effective way to achieve elbow flexion in patients with upper brachial plexus injury.