Functional Muscle Transfer for the Mangled Limb

In situations of severe upper extremity tissue loss as a result of the mangled extremity, conventional reconstructive methods may fail to achieve desirable function, and muscle transfer may be necessary to achieve functional results. While normal function is not achievable, impressive results can be obtained when little function was previously available. While numerous muscle transfers are viable, the gracilis free functioning muscle transfer has emerged as the most frequently utilized muscle for transfer. Through a complex of staged surgical interventions and time-consuming therapy and re-training, optimal functional results may be obtained.