Use of contralateral spinal accessory nerve for ipsilateral suprascapular neurotization in global brachial plexus injury: A new technique

Abstract

Nerve transfer between the spinal accessory nerve (SAN) and the suprascapular nerve (SSN) is a standard technique in shoulder reanimation. In cases of global brachial plexus injury, donor nerves are few and at times severely traumatized owing to extensive traction forces. This precludes the application of standard nerve transfer techniques. The authors offer the use of the contralateral SAN as an additional option in the reinnervation of an injured SSN in such circumstances. To the best of their knowledge, this is the first successful attempt of this technique to be reported in the literature.