Nerve transfer reversal to treat co‐contraction after anatomic brachial plexus reconstruction and Oberlin transfer: A case report

Abstract

Distal nerve transfers to restore elbow flexion have become standard of care in brachial plexus reconstruction. The purpose of this report is to draw attention to intractable co‐contraction as a rare but significant adverse event of distal nerve transfers. Here we report of treatment of a disabling co‐contraction of the brachialis muscle and wrist/finger flexors after median to brachialis fascicular transfer in a 61‐year‐old male patient. The primary injury was an postganglionic lesion of roots C5/C6 and a preganglionic injury of C7/C8 with intact root Th1 after a motor bicycle accident. After upper brachial plexus reconstruction (C5/C6 to suprascapular nerve and superior trunk) active mobility in the shoulder joint (supraspinatus, deltoid) could be restored. However, due to lacking motor recovery of elbow flexion the patient underwent additional median to brachialis nerve transfer. Shortly after, active elbow flexion commenced with rapid recovery to M4 at 9 months postoperatively. However, despite intensive EMG triggered physiotherapy the patient could not dissociate hand from elbow function and was debilitated by this iatrogenic co‐contraction. After preoperative ultrasound‐guided block resulted in preserved biceps function, the previously transferred median nerve fascicle was reversed. This was done by dissecting the previous nerve transfer of the median nerve fascicle to the brachialis muscle branch and adapting the fascicles to their original nerve. Postoperatively, the patient was followed up for 10 months without a complication and maintained M4 elbow flexion with independent strong finger flexion. Distal nerve transfers are an excellent option to restore function, however, in some patients cognitive limitations may prevent cortical reorganization and lead to disturbing co‐contractions.