The results in ten arms of nine patients who had post-traumatic
tetraplegia at the fifth or sixth cervical level were reviewed after
combined transfer of the brachioradialis to the flexor pollicis longus and
of the posterior part of the deltoid to the triceps tendon to restore key
pinch and extension of the elbow. The average age of the patients was
twenty-nine years, the average time from the injury to the operation was
five years, and the average duration of follow-up was thirty-one months.
Key pinch improved from essentially none preoperatively to an average of
2.0 pounds (0.9 kilogram) postoperatively: an average of 3.0 pounds (1.4
kilograms) for the patients who had tetraplegia at the sixth cervical level
and an average of 0.9 pound (0.4 kilogram) for those who had tetraplegia at
the fifth cervical level. Key pinch was favorably influenced by extension
of the wrist, while the position of the elbow had no effect. Maximum active
extension of the elbow against gravity was within 20 degrees of full
extension in eight of the ten arms. There was an improvement in the
performance of activities of daily living, including wheelchair use, and
most of the patients discontinued use of special equipment for the upper
extremity. The results of this study, when compared with those of each
procedure performed separately, suggest that a combination of the
operations improves function of the upper extremity and shortens the
duration of dependence postoperatively.