Portal de Periódicos da CAPES

Nerve Transfers in the Hand and Upper Extremity Surgery

2008; Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; Volume: 12; Issue: 1 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1097/bth.0b013e31812714f3

1531-6572

Susan E. Mackinnon, Stephen Colbert,

Orthopedic Surgery and Rehabilitation

Modern nerve-to-nerve transfers represent one of the greatest advances in peripheral nerve surgery. Lessons of tendon transfers have taught that nerves to specific musculotendinous units are expendable, and greater understanding of peripheral nerve topography has revealed redundant fascicles in peripheral nerves. Transfer of these redundant or expendable nerves to recipient nerves close to the end organ allows for earlier reinnervation and preservation of those musculotendinous units. Such nerve transfers provide significantly better treatment options in many cases of nerve injury where previous outcomes were expected to be poor, such as with proximal injuries, long nerve gaps, or unavailability of the proximal injured segment. This article will review current nerve transfers in the hand and upper extremity.