The Anterior Approach for Transfer of Radial Nerve Triceps Fascicles to the Axillary Nerve

Abstract

Nerve transfers are an increasingly popular method for surgical treatment of nerve injuries. One of the most popular of these is the transfer of radial nerve triceps fascicles to the axillary nerve. The most common approach for this transfer is the posterior approach, which gives excellent access to both nerves but is not easy to combine with other nerve transfers. We describe here an alternative, the anterior approach, that offers safe access to both radial and axillary nerves and has the added advantage of compatibility with approaches for other common nerve transfers.

Keywords: Brachial plexus injury; axillary nerve; brachial plexus birth palsy; nerve transfer; radial nerve.