J Reconstr Microsurg 1999; 15(2): 119-122
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-1000081
ORIGINAL ARTICLE

© 1999 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc.

Transfer of Flexor Carpi Ulnaris Branch of the Ulnar Nerve to the Pronator Teres Nerve: Histomorphometric Analysis

Sean Boutros, Rahul K. Nath, Eser Yüksel, Adam B. Weinfeld, Susan E. Mackinnon
  • Divisions of Plastic Surgery, Departments of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas and Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri; and Department of Neurosurgery, Baylor College of Medicine
Further Information

Publication History

Accepted for Publication 1998

Publication Date:
08 March 2008 (online)

ABSTRACT

Partial median-nerve injury high in the upper extremity, resulting from brachial plexus neuritis or trauma, can affect the pronator teres muscle and result in the inability to pronate the forearm. A nerve transfer from an ulnar nerve-innervated branch to the flexor carpi ulnaris (FCU) muscle to the branch to the pronator teres (PT) is an attractive option in this clinical scenario. This study, a histomorphometric analysis of nine cadaver specimens harvested at the proposed FCU branch to PT branch transfer site, demonstrates sufficient similarities between the two branches in total number of nerve fibers (371.6 with SEM 35.1, and 361.9 with SEM 47.1; p = 0.87) and nerve cross-sectional area (122,181 μm2 with SEM 14,546 μm2, and 142,492 μm2 with SEM 19,633 μm2; p = 0.42), to predict a functional transfer result. In addition, clinical application of this transfer resulted in functional pronation strength of M4+.