MICROSURGICAL TREATMENT FOR ROOT AVULSION OF THE BRACHIAL PLEXUS

Among the 581 cases of brachial plexus injuries seen from 1960 to 1984, 108 were root avulsions. Transfer of the phrenic nerve, accessory nerve, motor branches of the cervical plexus and intercostal nerves was used with good results.A detailed discussion is presented of the thera-peutie value of nerve transfer, comparison of dif-rent nerve transfers and the factors influencing effects.From 1960 to 1984, 2 152 cases of peripheral nerve injuries were encountered; among them, 581 were brachial plexus injuries, accounting for 26.9% of the total admissions, and 108 were root avulsions (preganglionic injuries).Transfers of the phrenic nerve, accessory nerve, the motor branches of the cervical plexus and inter-costal nerves (2 to 6) have been used since 1973, with satisfactory functional recovery of the upper limb.