Microsurgery in brachial plexus lesions

Twenty-two patients with brachial plexus lesions were reviewed 3-6 years after microsurgical repair. Four patients underwent nerve transfer between intercostal nerves and the musculocutaneous nerve. None of these achieved useful elbow flexion. Nerve grafting mainly in the upper part of the plexus was performed in six patients of whom five recovered a useful motor function in at least one important area. Twelve patients underwent neurolysis; useful motor function in at least one important area was achieved in eight. We conclude that microsurgical treatment of brachial plexus lesions is useful in lesions of the upper part of the plexus, distal to the dorsal root ganglion.