Skip to main content

Upper Brachium Approach: The “Ulnar-Biceps Median-Brachialis” Double Nerve Transfer

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Operative Brachial Plexus Surgery

Abstract

Restoration of elbow flexion is one of the main objectives in the treatment of brachial plexus palsies affecting the upper roots. The “Ulnar-Biceps Median-Brachialis” double nerve transfer described by Oberlin became a standard procedure in C5-C6 and C5-C6-C7 injuries. Selected fasciculi of the ulnar and median nerves are transferred onto branches from the musculocutaneous nerve, dedicated to the biceps and the brachialis muscles, respectively. Perioperative nerve stimulation is essential for choosing an ulnar nerve motor branch supplying the flexor carpi ulnaris, and a median nerve motor branch for the pronator teres muscle and/or to the palmaris longus muscle, with the aim of sparing the priority functions of the hand.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

eBook
USD 16.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 129.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 179.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Oberlin C, Béal D, Leechavengvongs S, Salon A, Dauge MC, Sarcy JJ. Nerve transfer to biceps muscle using a part of ulnar nerve for C5 C6 avulsion of the brachial plexus. Anatomical study and report of 4 cases. J Hand Surg [Am]. 1994;19(2):232–7.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Oberlin C, Ameur NE, Teboul F, Beaulieu JY, Vacher C. Restoration of elbow flexion in brachial plexus injury by transfer of ulnar nerve fascicles to the nerve to the biceps muscle. Tech Hand Up Extrem Surg. 2002;6:86–90.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Goubier JN, Teboul F. Technique of the double nerve transfer to recover elbow flexion in C5, C6, or C5 to C7 brachial plexus palsy. Tech Hand Up Extrem Surg. 2007 Mar;11(1):15–7.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Donnelly MR, Rezzadeh KT, Vieira D, Daar D, Hacquebord J. Is one nerve transfer enough? A systematic review and pooled analysis comparing ulnar fascicular nerve transfer and double ulnar and median fascicular nerve transfer for restoration of elbow flexion after traumatic brachial plexus injury. Microsurgery. 2020;40(3):361–9.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Sneiders D, Bulstra LF, Hundepool CA, Treling WJ, Hovius SER, Shin AY. Outcomes of single versus double fascicular nerve transfers for restoration of elbow flexion in patients with brachial plexus injuries: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2019;144(1):155–66.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Cambon-Binder A, Leclercq C. Anatomical study of the musculocutaneous nerve branching pattern: application for selective neurectomy in the treatment of elbow flexors spasticity. Surg Radiol Anat. 2015;37(4):341–8.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2021 Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Belkheyar, Z., Cambon-Binder, A., Oberlin, C. (2021). Upper Brachium Approach: The “Ulnar-Biceps Median-Brachialis” Double Nerve Transfer. In: Shin, A.Y., Pulos, N. (eds) Operative Brachial Plexus Surgery. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-69517-0_25

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-69517-0_25

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-69516-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-69517-0

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics