Comparative study of phrenic and partial ulnar nerve transfers for elbow flexion after upper brachial plexus avulsion–a retrospective clinical analysis

The widely used nerve transfer sources for elbow flexion in patients with upper brachial plexus avulsion (UBPA) include partial ulnar nerve, phrenic nerve and intercostal nerves. A retrospective review of 21 patients treated with phrenic and partial ulnar nerve transfers for elbow flexion after UBPA was carried out. In the phrenic nerve transfer group, the phrenic nerve was transferred to the anterolateral bundle of anterior division of upper trunk; In the partial ulnar nerve transfer group, one fascicle of the ulnar nerve was transferred to the biceps branch.