PURPOSE To report our technique and experience with use of free functioning muscle transfer (FFMT) in reconstruction of traumatic brachial plexus injuries (BPIs) in children as well as its complications and outcomes. METHODS Twelve patients with complete BPI underwent FFMT for reconstruction between 2000 and 2012. Eight had single-stage gracilis transfer for restoration of elbow flexion, and ...

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the outcomes and complications following free functional gracilis transfer for restoration of elbow flexion and/or finger flexion in patients with acute or chronic brachial plexus injuries. A review of 130 free functioning gracilis muscles transferred for brachial plexus injuries was undertaken to evaluate the failure rate as well as late complications....

Abstract Background Ultrasonic measurement has not been utilized to assess the functional recovery of transplanted muscle. This study aimed investigate feasibility using B-ultrasound muscle following free functioning gracilis transfer. Methods From January 2009 2014, 35 patients receiving transfer treat total brachial plexus injury were enrolled. was adopted determine cross-sectional area (CSA)...

Moebius syndrome, a rare congenital disorder of varying severity, involves multiple cranial nerves and is characterised predominantly by bilateral or unilateral paralysis of the facial and abducens nerves. Facial paralysis causes inability to smile and bilabial incompetence with speech difficulties, oral incompetence, problems with eating and drinking, including pocketing of food in the cheek a...

We present 4 children between 6 and 13 years suffering from severe sequelae after a total obstetric brachial plexus lesion resulting in a hand without functional active long finger flexion. They had successfully reanimated long finger flexion using a free functional gracilis muscle transfer. These children initially presented a total obstetric brachial plexus palsy without neurotisation of the ...

BACKGROUND Ablative orofacial defects incorporating mimetic facial musculature/nerve cause hemifacial expressive dysfunction and considerable morbidity but are rarely reanimated immediately using free functioning gracilis myocutaneous flaps. METHODS Disrupted buccal branches provided a recipient facial nerve for 24 gracilis reinnervations. An additional 15 free flaps were used for extensive c...