Techniques in Hand & Upper Extremity Surgery

Abstract

The use of tendon transfer to restore functions of extremities was initially recognised in the 19th century, and its advancement was further amplified by the polio epidemic towards the turn of that century. Tendon transfer surgery extended to the use for traumatic reconstructive surgery during World War I, with key surgical pioneers, including Mayer, Sterling Bunnell, Guy Pulvertaft and Joseph Boyes. In 1921, Robert Jones first described the transfer of pronator teres (PT) to the wrist extensors for irreparable radial nerve paralysis in infantile hemiplegia. Although, a detailed description of its indication and surgical outcomes were not published until 1959 and 1970 by Stelling and Meyer, and Keats, respectively. Pronator teres is often the tendon of choice for reconstructing wrist extensors, and used in a multiple of pathologies, including radial nerve palsy, cerebral palsy, and tetraplegia. Reconstruction of finger extensors are less straightforward and options include flexor carpi radialis (FCR), flexor carpi ulnaris (FCU), and flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS). Our article describes the techniques and outcomes of 25 patients that undergone pronator teres transfer. A good understanding of the pronator teres anatomical location and potential variations, aids efficient harvesting and limits unnecessary tissue dissection. Pronator teres tendon harvest is best performed through a systematic and anatomic approach.