EFFICACY OF NERVE TRANSFER FOR RESTORING ELBOW FLEXION IN TRAUMATIC BRACHIAL PLEXUS INJURY- A COMPARATIVE STUDY BETWEEN OBERLIN PROCEDURE AND INTERCOSTAL NERVE TRANSFER

Dr Priyadarshini. C. S, Dr Sumathi Palraj, Dr V. Ramadevi

Abstract


Aim: To compare the efficacy of Oberlin nerve transfer procedure with Intercostal nerve transfer(ICNT) for restoring
elbow flexion in traumatic brachial plexus injury.
Methods: A cross sectional study was performed in 30 traumatic brachial plexus injury patients at Institute of Research and Rehabilitation of
Hand, Stanley Medical College, Chennai between January 2018 and September 2019, 15 of whom underwent Oberlin nerve transfer procedure
and 15 underwent Intercostal nerve transfer(ICNT) to Musculocutaneous nerve (MCN).
Results: Mean time duration to obtain biceps muscle power grade 1 (M1) in Oberlin and ICNT groups were 5.6 and 9.33 months respectively.
For good recovery ( ie) muscle power grade 3 (M3) , mean time duration in Oberlin group was 12.8 months and in ICNT group 18.2 months which
were statistically significant (P < 0.05).
Conclusion: Oberlin group regained biceps muscle power much earlier and with significantly greater final muscle power score than ICNT group
and hence we conclude that unless there are any contraindications for Oberlin procedure it should be the most preferable method for restoring
elbow flexion in upper brachial plexus injury.


Keywords


Brachial plexus , Biceps muscle, Nerve transfer

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References


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