The Therapeutic Outcomes of Trapezius Muscle Transfer in Brachial Plexus Injury Patients: A Case Analysis at 15 Khordad Hospital, Tehran.

Abstract

Background: We investigated the therapeutic outcomes of trapezius muscle transfer in individuals diagnosed with brachial plexus damage.

Methods: We examined patients diagnosed with brachial plexus palsy referred to 15 Khordad Hospital in Tehran, Iran during 2018-20. The patients considered for inclusion in the study were those who were eligible for trapezius muscle transfer surgery, either on the affected side or the unaffected side. The evaluation focused on various aspects, including shoulder range of motion, muscle strength, shoulder pain, age and gender distribution, as well as satisfaction and function levels of the shoulder.

Results: The suitability of shoulder motions, shoulder abduction, and muscular strength in patients who underwent ipsilateral side trapezius muscle transfer surgery was greater compared to those who underwent contralateral side trapezius transfer. In the investigation of postoperative shoulder function among patients who underwent trapezius muscle transfer surgery on the ipsilateral side, it was shown that 3 patients (25%) exhibited favorable function, while 6 patients (50%) demonstrated acceptable function, and 3 patients (25%) displayed excellent function. Out of the total sample size of 9 patients who underwent surgery for trapezius muscle transfer on the contralateral side, 6 patients (66.7%) exhibited favorable function, while 3 patients (33.3%) demonstrated acceptable function.

Conclusion: Employing the contralateral trapezius muscle as a substitute when utilizing the ipsilateral trapezius muscle is not feasible is a viable alternative with favorable function.