Free Functioning Muscle Transfer in Radiation-Induced Brachial Plexopathy: Case Report

Radiation-induced brachial plexopathy is a delayed complication of radiation treatment for tumors involving the neck and chest area and is progressive. A 56-year-old woman presented to us with loss of elbow flexion and weak wrist and finger extension 15 years after she received external beam radiation to the left chest, axilla, and supraclavicular region for treatment of breast cancer. She was managed with a gracilis free muscle transfer for elbow flexion and hand prehension. By 2 years after surgery she regained elbow range of motion of 40 degrees to 110 degrees and improved in hand function. She was able to perform activities of daily living. Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand score improved from 56 to 20. Copyright (C) 2014 by the American Society for Surgery of the Hand. All rights reserved.