I would like to know how this is done and if the cut is too big and painful. How is the surgery and recuperation. What is it transferred for? Maybe too many questions, but I would like to know about this surgery.
Thanks,
Susana
Gracilis Muscle Transfer
Re: Gracilis Muscle Transfer
Hi Susana,
My son John had this type of surgery performed last year, and I can answer a couple of your questions. For the remainder, I'd like to get some more info together & will respond to those asap.
So stay tuned -
Ellen
My son John had this type of surgery performed last year, and I can answer a couple of your questions. For the remainder, I'd like to get some more info together & will respond to those asap.
So stay tuned -
Ellen
Re: Gracilis Muscle Transfer
Here's some more info:
The gracilis muscle transfer can be a viable option because it shortens the timeframe to see muscle response. This is because the gracilis is a long muscle/tendon, and when moved into the arm and blood supply & nerves are hooked up, there isn't the delay of nerve regrowth from higher up. John had these surgeries in Feb & Apr '03, and in early July was able to bend his elbow - and late August begin to grip his hand.
There are two incisions: inside the inner knee area & the inside upper thigh. It seems John "bounced" back pretty quickly from the incisions. One thing that is temporary but takes getting used to, is that a flap of skin from the leg is transferred along w/the muscle - which provides a more precise way to monitor blood flow via doppler during the first few critical days after the surgery. The skin from the leg is different in color so looks a bit "funky" - but can be surgically removed later.
Since John's surgeries included nerve transfers as well as the gracilis, they were fairly long & complicated - requiring 3 surgeons and ~ 10 hours each. He had 5 functional, 1 sensory nerve transferred, sural nerves harvested & the two gracilis muscle/tendons.
If I've missed anything, or confused you, please let me know. Hope this helps.
Take care,
Ellen
The gracilis muscle transfer can be a viable option because it shortens the timeframe to see muscle response. This is because the gracilis is a long muscle/tendon, and when moved into the arm and blood supply & nerves are hooked up, there isn't the delay of nerve regrowth from higher up. John had these surgeries in Feb & Apr '03, and in early July was able to bend his elbow - and late August begin to grip his hand.
There are two incisions: inside the inner knee area & the inside upper thigh. It seems John "bounced" back pretty quickly from the incisions. One thing that is temporary but takes getting used to, is that a flap of skin from the leg is transferred along w/the muscle - which provides a more precise way to monitor blood flow via doppler during the first few critical days after the surgery. The skin from the leg is different in color so looks a bit "funky" - but can be surgically removed later.
Since John's surgeries included nerve transfers as well as the gracilis, they were fairly long & complicated - requiring 3 surgeons and ~ 10 hours each. He had 5 functional, 1 sensory nerve transferred, sural nerves harvested & the two gracilis muscle/tendons.
If I've missed anything, or confused you, please let me know. Hope this helps.
Take care,
Ellen
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NancyP
Re: Gracilis Muscle Transfer
My daughter is 7 and had this surgery in January. This is her info and pics from TCH.
http://www.injurednewborn.com/kelsey/kelsey.html
http://www.injurednewborn.com/kelsey/kelsey.html
Re: Gracilis Muscle Transfer
Is she now moving her hand. I don't if that was wrong with her. Was it elbow flexion?
Thanks,
Susana
Thanks,
Susana
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NancyP
Re: Gracilis Muscle Transfer
Kelsey's surgery was to help her with finger flexion and grasp. So far (almost 4 months out) she can move her thumb on purpose and has a little wiggling in the fingers. Dr. Klebuc said it will take 6 months to 2 years for us to see what her recovery from this surgery will provide.