Functional changes after Median nerve or Ulnar nerve fascicle transfer

Objective The functional changes of the donor nerve were observed after the median nerve or ulnar nerve fascicle transfer.The feasibility and safety of the operation were evaluated.Methods 82 cases of upper type of the brachial plexus injury were treated by median nerve(58 cases) or ulnar nerve(30 cases) fascicle transfer.Special attentions were paid to the functional changes of the donor nerve to make sure the safety of the operation.Two point discriminations of the dominate site were measured to evaluate the sense functional changes.The strength of the muscle,grasp and pinch were used to evaluate the motor functional changes.Perspiration were observed to evaluate the function of the autonomic nerve.Results We observed that only minority had showed slight weakness,trifling and uniform depression of cutaneous sensibility.Furthermore,the weakness and depression would disappear in about 2 months.Conclusions We concluded that fascicle of median nerve and ulnar nerve can be transferred without effects on the donor nerve.