Enhancing Functional Hand Recovery Through Nerve Reconstruction in Total Brachial Plexus Birth Injury

In the adopted strategy, anatomical reconstruction was always performed when feasible and the lower trunk was considered the primary reinnervation target. Anatomical reconstruction of the plexus was attempted in the presence of at least three available roots; the best quality root stump (usually C5) was used for hand reanimation, while the lower ruptured roots were directed towards the upper and middle trunks. If one or more of the remaining root stumps were of doubtful quality, the compromised roots were grafted to the posterior divisions of the upper and middle trunks, while elbow flexion could be restored by transferring the intercostal nerves (T3-5) to the lateral cord. The lateral root of the median nerve was also included in the intercostal nerve transfer to restore hand sensations. In all cases, the spinal accessory nerve was directly sutured to the suprascapular nerve to restore rotator cuff function.