چكيده لاتين :
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, Oberlinיs
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. Patientsי age ranged from 9 to 53
years. In 6 acute cases only Oberlinיs 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 Oberlinיs method to be a safe, simple and effective way to
achieve elbow flexion in patients with upper brachial plexus injury.
