Patients with traumatic pan-brachial plexus injury without spontaneous recovery underwent staged reconstruction to restore upper extremity function. Initial nerve transfer procedures included phrenic nerve transfer to the suprascapular nerve for shoulder stabilization and spinal accessory or intercostal nerve transfer to the musculocutaneous nerve or motor branch to the biceps for elbow flexion restoration. Secondary procedures, including wrist arthrodesis and first carpometacarpal joint fusion, were performed to optimize hand positioning for grasp. After patient selection, those with elbow flexion strength of at least Medical Research Council (MRC) grade 4 underwent biceps-to-flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS) tendon transfer using tensor fascia lata as an interposition tendon graft. Patients with finger joint stiffness, severe forearm soft tissue injury, or elbow flexion strength less than MRC grade 4 were excluded.

All procedures were performed under general anesthesia. An S-shaped incision was made over the anterior elbow to identify and mobilize the biceps tendon to its insertion at the radial tuberosity, followed by division of the bicipital aponeurosis. A second incision was made in the distal forearm to identify the flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS) tendon. The tendon gap was measured to determine graft length. A tensor fascia lata graft was harvested from the lateral thigh, tubularized, and used as an interposition tendon graft. The graft was attached to the biceps tendon using the Pulvertaft technique with nonabsorbable sutures, then passed through a subfascial tunnel to the distal forearm to prevent bowstringing. With the elbow flexed at 90° and fingers in full flexion, the distal graft was woven into the FDS tendons using the Pulvertaft technique. Transfer tension was confirmed by assessing the tenodesis effect.

Finger flexion motor power was assessed using the Medical Research Council (MRC) grading system at postoperative follow-up visits for a minimum of 3 months after surgery. Motor strength was graded on a scale from M0 to M5, where M0 indicates no visible muscle contraction and M5 indicates normal muscle strength against full resistance. Functional finger flexion strength during grasp was evaluated clinically by the treating surgeon.

Elbow flexion motor power was assessed using the Medical Research Council (MRC) grading system at postoperative follow-up visits for a minimum of 3 months after surgery. Motor strength was graded on a scale from M0 to M5, where M0 indicates no visible muscle contraction and M5 indicates normal muscle strength against full resistance. Elbow flexion strength was evaluated clinically by the treating surgeon.