Nerve transfers for peripheral nerve injury in the upper limb: a case-based review

Abstract

Nerve transfer has become a common and often effective reconstructive strategy for proximal and complex peripheral nerve injuries of the upper limb. This case-based discussion explores the principles and potential benefits of nerve transfer surgery and offers in-depth discussion of several established and valuable techniques including: motor transfer for elbow flexion after musculocutaneous nerve injury, deltoid reanimation for axillary nerve palsy, intrinsic re-innervation following proximal ulnar nerve repair, and critical sensory recovery despite non-reconstructable median nerve lesions.

Keywords: Axillary nerve; Musculocutaneous nerve; Nerve injury; Nerve transfer; Sensory nerve transfer; Ulnar nerve.