OBJETIVE: To evaluate the transposition of the triceps for elbow flexion in patients with chronic and complete injury to the upper trunk of the brachial plexus. METHODS: Retrospective study, including only patients who had biceps grade 0 and triceps grade 5, who underwent anterior transfer of the triceps muscle, operated between 1998 and 2005. The affected side, sex, type of accident, strength of elbow flexion, complications and satisfaction of patients, were studied in 11 cases. RESULTS: 10 patients were male, aged 24 to 49 years, with a mean of 33.7 years. The minimum time between injury and surgery was 21 months (range 21-74 months). The left side was affected in eight cases, the right only in three. Good results were obtained in 10 patients, who acquired grade 3 (two cases) and grade 4 (eight cases) strength in elbow flexion, while one evolved unfavorably with grade 2 strength. Two cases had complications (initial compartment syndrome and insufficient tensing). All patients reported satisfaction with the procedure. CONCLUSION: The anterior transposition of the triceps muscle provided patient satisfaction in all cases except one, attaining strength grade 4 in eight patients, grade 3 in two cases and grade 2 in one case.
Musculoskeletal system; Brachial plexus; Elbow
