Long-term results of multiple muscle transfer to reconstruct shoulder function in patients with birth palsy: Eleven-year follow-up

We evaluated the long-term clinical results of multiple muscle transfer for reconstruction of shoulder function in 10 patients with birth palsy. Multi ple muscle transfer consists mainly of Harmon's deltoid shift, Ober's bicep s muscle transfer, and Hoffer's latissimus dorsi muscle transfer. The follo wup ranged from 5 to 14 years with an average of 10.5 years, Two of the 10 patients showed no improvement, one due to severely atrophied latissimus do rsi muscle, and the other who had not received Hoffer's latissimus dorsi mu scle transfer. Except for these two patients, an averaged flexion and exter nal angles were 114 degrees and 25 degrees, respectively. Harmon's deltoid shift and Hoffer's latissimus dorsi muscle transfer for reconstruction of s houlder function in patients with birth palsy have proven to be a useful me thod in reconstructing and maintaining the funtion of active elevation and external rotation of the shoulder.