Musculocutaneous nerve injury after coracoid process transfer for clavicle instability. Report of three cases.

ABSTRACT

During the last 10 years, we have treated 54 cases of fracture or dislocation of the lateral clavicle by transposing the coracoid process onto the clavicle. Recently, a postoperative musculocutaneous nerve injury was observed in 3 cases, all of which recovered spontaneously within 5 months. Our technique seems to entail a certain risk of causing stretch injury to the musculocutaneous nerve. Apart from resting the affected arm for a month or two, the condition does not require specific treatment.