Upper limb functional restoration in old and complete brachial plexus paralysis.

Nineteen patients with longstanding and permanent brachial plexus injuries underwent a three-staged surgical reconstruction. First, a sural nerve was grafted from the contralateral intact medial pectoral nerve to the paralyzed arm. One year later, a free gracilis muscle was transferred and neurotized by the grafted sural nerve. This procedure results in reanimation of elbow flexion. Finally, the biceps tendon was transferred to the finger flexors using a fascia bundle of tensor fascia lata muscle. Two of the gracilis muscle free transfers failed. In the remaining 17 patients, the overall result was evaluated as satisfactory in 11 patients and good in 6.