Abstract
Background Nerve transfers are commonly employed in the treatment of brachial plexus injuries.
We report the use of a new donor for transfer, the platysma motor branch.
Methods A patient with complete avulsion of the brachial plexus and phrenic nerve paralysis
had the suprascapular nerve neurotized by the accessory nerve, half of the hypoglossal
nerve transferred to the musculocutaneous nerve, and the platysma motor branch connected
to the medial pectoral nerve.
Results The diameter of both the platysma motor branch and the medial pectoral nerve was
around 2 mm. Eight years after surgery, the patient recovered 45° of abduction. Elbow
flexion and shoulder adduction were rated as M4, according to the BMC. There was no
deficit after the use of the above-mentioned nerves for transfer. Volitional control
was acquired for independent function of elbow flexion and shoulder adduction.
Conclusion The use of the platysma motor branch seems promising. This nerve is expendable; its
section led to no deficits, and the relearning of motor control was not complicated.
Further anatomical and clinical studies would help to clarify and confirm the usefulness
of the platysma motor branch as a donor for nerve transfer.
