We took my 3 year old son Brayden to Cincinnati's BPI clinic this week. We saw a Dr. Yakuboff there. After reviewing all his information and the EMG Brayden recieved while we where there. They have suggested Brayden to receive a Gracilis muscle transfer to give him some elbow flexion, and hopefully some finger flexion and wrist stability. We are trying to decide if we want to this or not. Doctor said they usually use the Latissmus Dorsi muscle, but the EMG showed that muscle is way to weak to even considier using it. He also said Brayden would not loose anything that he already has. Brayden has a total BPI and he as only had the primary surgery which he had with Dr. Parks from St. Louis. Which they did not use the nerves from his calves. Instead they used some kind of synthetic tubing instead
So, I am thinking about having my son get this surgery, I still am trying to get all the information I can before I make descion on this. My husband is not as open to let him have this surgery as I am in need of all the input I can get. My husband is wanting know about the succes rate and scarring this leaves behind. I want to know every aspect of it. Plus any expericences anyone has had with this clinic and Dr. Yakuboff. We have 3 months to make descion on this. Thank you for anything anyone can give me on this topic!
Gracilis Muscle Transplant
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bfaithda
- Posts: 88
- Joined: Fri Jul 20, 2007 10:40 pm
- Injury Description, Date, extent, surgical intervention etc: My name is Bridget, my son Brayden has a LOBPI. He was born 5-14-07 and weighted 11lbs 3ozs and was 22inches long and got stuck on my pelvis coming out. All 5 nerves were involved 2 ruptured and 3 avulsed, and also had Horner's Syndrome. He had primary surgery in St. Louis with Dr. Parks when he was 3 months old. He used synthetic materials to fuse the nerves together, because the nerves in his calves were not long enough. Brayden currently does aqua therapy, PT, OT and speech therapy. He has little movement in his arm and hand, but that does not stop him from having fun and being a normal boy!!!
- Location: Owensboro, KY
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NancyP
Re: Gracilis Muscle Transplant
Hello,
My daughter is 13, and had a Gracilis Muscle Transplant at age 7. Her surgery was done in Houston. She was in the hospital for 8 days in the Critical Care unit. They had her arm tied to the bed so that she couldn't move it for 5 of those 8 days. She has scars on her leg (3), as well as a large scar on her arm. She also has a scar on her hip from the skin graft they took to cover the new area on her arm where the muscle was transplanted. They did work on her hand, and she has a scar across her knuckles, one on her wrist, and little scars on each finger from pins they used to help with finger placement. Recovery time for her was long. She was out of school for 4 weeks, and unable to be around large groups of kids during that time so that she didn't get knocked around or pushed down. For 8 weeks she was unable to run, play outside, or participate in sports. She was splinted during that entire time. She now is able to make enough of a grip to hold something light and large, like a yogurt.
If you would like to e-mail me for more information, my address is patterson765@msn.com
My daughter is 13, and had a Gracilis Muscle Transplant at age 7. Her surgery was done in Houston. She was in the hospital for 8 days in the Critical Care unit. They had her arm tied to the bed so that she couldn't move it for 5 of those 8 days. She has scars on her leg (3), as well as a large scar on her arm. She also has a scar on her hip from the skin graft they took to cover the new area on her arm where the muscle was transplanted. They did work on her hand, and she has a scar across her knuckles, one on her wrist, and little scars on each finger from pins they used to help with finger placement. Recovery time for her was long. She was out of school for 4 weeks, and unable to be around large groups of kids during that time so that she didn't get knocked around or pushed down. For 8 weeks she was unable to run, play outside, or participate in sports. She was splinted during that entire time. She now is able to make enough of a grip to hold something light and large, like a yogurt.
If you would like to e-mail me for more information, my address is patterson765@msn.com