Anatomical and clinical substantiation of the long head of triceps transposition to restore active forearm flexion in patients with arthrogryposis

Abstract

Purpose: to investigate anatomic features of the long head of triceps brachii in relation to its using as a pedicle flap for restoration of active forearm flexion in patients with arthrogryposis. Material and methods. Anatomical studies were performed on 15 fresh frozen human upper limbs from 9 cadavers. Arteries were perfused with radiopaque masses and following preparation, sectional roentgenography, morphometry of anatomical structures were carried. 29 patients with the lack of active elbow flexion aged from 8 months to 15 years were examined (clinical, neurological and physiological studies) and treated in Turner Scientific and Research Institute for Children's Orthopedics from 2008 to 2012. Results and conclusion. Anatomical studies demonstrated the possibility of transposition of the long head of triceps to forearm flexors position. The long head of triceps can be simply separated from the other two heads, it has independent innervation and blood supply, its vascular pedicle is easily identified, and length of extraorgan vessels and nerves is sufficient to transfer the muscle as a pedicle flap. Clinical study has shown the principal possibility and effectiveness of restoration of active forearm flexion in patients with arthrogryposis using the long head of triceps brachii.