Tendon versus nerve transfers in elbow, wrist, and hand reconstruction: a literature review

Abstract

Upper extremity reconstruction forces the surgeon to chose between several available procedures, among them tendon and nerve transfer. Few guidelines exist to assist the surgeon in this regard, and the authors, therefore, undertook a retrospective review of case series describing tendon and nerve transfer. The authors discovered a scarcity of robust reporting, particularly in regard to tendon transfer, making an objective comparison between the two techniques difficult. Tendon transfers are popular and familiar. Nerve transfers promise distinct advantages; however, excellent evidence of their superiority is lacking.

Keywords: Brachial plexus; Nerve transfer; Reconstruction; Tendon transfer; Upper extremity.