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. 2015 Oct 20;50(6):660-5.
doi: 10.1016/j.rboe.2015.09.007. eCollection 2015 Nov-Dec.

Evaluation of elbow flexion following free muscle transfer from the medial gastrocnemius or transfer from the latissimus dorsi, in cases of traumatic injury of the brachial plexus

Frederico Barra de Moraes  1 , Mário Yoshihide Kwae  1 , Ricardo Pereira da Silva  1 , Celmo Celeno Porto  1 , Daniel de Paiva Magalhães  1 , Matheus Veloso Paulino  1
Affiliations

Evaluation of elbow flexion following free muscle transfer from the medial gastrocnemius or transfer from the latissimus dorsi, in cases of traumatic injury of the brachial plexus

Frederico Barra de Moraes et al. Rev Bras Ortop. .

Abstract
in English, Portuguese

Objective: To compare the gain in elbow flexion in patients with traumatic injury of the brachial plexus following muscle transfer from latissimus dorsi with the gain following free muscle transfer from the medial belly of the gastrocnemius.

Methods: This was a retrospective study in which the medical files of a convenience sample of 13 patients operated between 2000 and 2010 were reviewed. Group 1 comprised seven patients who underwent transfers from the gastrocnemius and group 2 (controls) comprised six patients who underwent transfers from the latissimus dorsi. The following functions were evaluated: (1) range of motion (ROM) of elbow flexion, in degrees, using manual goniometry and (2) grade of elbow flexion strength, using a muscle strength scale. Satisfactory results were defined as: (1) elbow flexion ROM ≥ 80° and (2) elbow flexion strength ≥ M3. The Fisher exact and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used (p < 0.05).

Results: The patients' mean age was 32 years (range: 17-56) and 72% had been involved in motorcycle accidents. Elbow flexion strength ≥ M3 was observed in seven patients (100%) in group 1 and in five patients (83.3%) in group 2 (p = 0.462). None of the patients presented M5, and one patient (16.7%) in group 2 had a poor result (M2). Elbow flexion ROM with a gain ≥ 80° (daily functions) was found in six patients (86%) in group 1 and in three patients (50%) in group 2 (p = 0.1).

Conclusion: The patients in group 1 had greater gains in strength and ROM than did those in group 2, but without statistical significance. Thus, transfers from the gastrocnemius become a new surgical option, if other techniques cannot be used.

Objetivo: Comparar o ganho de flexão do cotovelo em pacientes com lesão traumática do plexo braquial após transferência muscular do latíssimo dorsal (TMLD) com a transferência muscular livre do ventre medial do gastrocnêmio (TMLGM).

Metódos: Estudo retrospectivo, revisão de prontuários, amostra de conveniência, com 13 pacientes operados, entre 2000 e 2010. Grupo 1 (TMLGM) com sete pacientes e grupo 2 ou controle (TMLD) com seis. Função avaliada: 1) amplitude de movimento (ADM) em graus da flexão do cotovelo, goniometria manual; 2) grau de força de flexão do cotovelo, por escala de força muscular. Satisfatórios: 1) ADM: flexão do cotovelo ≥ 80°; 2) Força: flexão do cotovelo ≥ M3. Testes exato de Fisher e Kruskal–Wallis (p < 0,05).

Resultados: Média de idade foi de 32 anos (17 a 56). Acidente de moto em 72%. Força de flexão do cotovelo ≥ M3 no grupo 1 em sete pacientes (100%) e o grupo 2 em cinco (83,3%) (p = 0,462). Não tivemos M5 e o grupo 2 apresentou um paciente (16,7%) com resultado ruim M2. ADM na flexão do cotovelo com ganho ≥ 80° (funções diárias) foram encontrados no grupo 1 em seis pacientes (86%) e no grupo 2 em três (50%) (p = 0,1).

Conclusão: Pacientes do grupo 1 tiveram um ganho maior de força e ADM, quando comparados com os do grupo 2, sem significado estatístico. Assim, TMLGM se torna uma nova opção cirúrgica, caso não possam ser aplicadas outras técnicas.

Keywords: Brachial plexus/surgery; Muscle/transplant; Reconstructive surgical procedures.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Assessment of gain in elbow flexion strength between the assessed groups.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Assessment of gain in elbow flexion range of motion between the groups.
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