Transfer of extensor carpi radialis brevis branch of radial nerve to anterior interosseous nerve for lower trunk brachial plexopathy after motor vehicle accident

Alison M Westrup; Kiana Y Prather; Xiaochun Zhao; Mark E Stephens; Andrew H Jea

doi:10.3171/2022.10.FOCVID2287

Transfer of extensor carpi radialis brevis branch of radial nerve to anterior interosseous nerve for lower trunk brachial plexopathy after motor vehicle accident

Neurosurg Focus Video. 2023 Jan 1;8(1):V11. doi: 10.3171/2022.10.FOCVID2287. eCollection 2023 Jan.

Authors

Alison M Westrup¹, Kiana Y Prather¹, Xiaochun Zhao¹, Mark E Stephens¹, Andrew H Jea¹

Affiliation

¹ Department of Neurosurgery, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Abstract

The patient is a 15-year-old male who sustained injury to his right lower brachial plexus (C8-T1) in a motor vehicle accident. Six months after the injury, the patient still had persistent hand weakness and wished to regain function in his first and second digits. Transfer of the extensor carpi radialis brevis (ECRB) branch of the radial nerve to the anterior interosseous nerve (AIN) was performed to restore motor function. The patient did well after the surgery, although it may take 12-24 months for benefits to fully manifest. Pertinent surgical anatomy and techniques are highlighted in this video demonstration. The video can be found here: https://stream.cadmore.media/rr10.3171/2022.10.FOCVID2287.

Keywords: anterior interosseous nerve; brachial plexus; extensor carpi radialis brevis; nerve transfer; neuropathy; radial nerve.