gms | German Medical Science

Objectives/Interrogation: Nerve transfers have become a reliable surgical technique to restore function after severe traumatic nerve lesions, where direct coaptation or grafting is impossible, especially when the proximal nerve stump is unavailable for reconstruction.

This technique might be successfully applied to other non traumatic conditions in children, where there have been so far no surgical solutions, like (atypical) arthrogryposis and transverse myelitis.

Methods: We reviewed our patient charts for this indication and found 3 children affected by arthrogryposis and one with severe sequelae from transverse myelitis. All children underwent nerve transfers to improve shoulder and /or biceps function.

Postoperative function was analysed looking at the active range of motion scored by the BRMC score from M1 to M4. Videorecordings were added.

Results and Conclusions: We regularly obtained M3 motor function in the targeted muscles in the shoulder and arm, offering useful function in body segments where no other surgical repair technique so far could help. Results are constant in the follow-up period for 3-5 years.

Nerve transfers allow an extension of repair techniques to some non traumatic diseases affecting children's upper limbs. We present clinical cases and update the treatment strategy in these diseases.