Transposition of latissimus dorsi for paralysis of triceps brachii. Report of a case.

In most operations for transfer of a muscle’s action it is the insertion of the muscle which is detached and reinserted. Clark (1946) detached the costal origin of the pectoralis major muscle and transferred the muscle down the arm for restoration of active flexion of the elbow. Schottstaedt, Larsen and Bost (1955) described twelve cases in which both origin and insertion of various muscles were detached and reinserted. Among other techniques they transposed the pectoralis major muscle in substitution for the paralysed biceps brachii, the latissimus dorsi muscle for the paralysed triceps and the sternocleidomastoid muscle for the paralysed trapezius. This report concerns the case of a man who among other injuries sustained damage to the brachial plexus which left permanent complete paralysis of the triceps muscle.