Elbow FlexionNCT07879794
Elbow Flexion Reanimation in Patients With Traumatic Brachial Plexus Injury
An observational study of Elbow Flexion and Reanimation, run by Tanta University at 1 site in Egypt.
Trial summary
This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of different techniques in the restoration of elbow flexion in post-traumatic brachial plexus patients as regards timing and degree of recovery. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages Up to 70 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Elbow Flexion, Reanimation, Traumatic Brachial Plexus Injury
- What is being tested?
- Oberlin Nerve Transfer and Intercostal Nerve Transfer
- Type of treatment
- Injection or infusion, Surgery or procedure
- How many people
- 30 participants
- Where
- 1 siteEgypt
- Study dates
- 7 Apr 2023to 23 Aug 2025
- Phase
- Observational
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages Up to 70 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Child, Adult, Older adult
Study population: This prospective study was carried out on 30 patients admitted to neurosurgery department Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University and Mansoura university in the period from April 2023 to August 2025 presented with post-traumatic brachial plexus injury with failed conservative measurements for at least three months.
Who may be able to join
- Post-traumatic brachial plexus injury affecting elbow flexion.
- Less than 18 months post-traumatic interval.
- Not previously operated for microsurgical repair of brachial plexus.
Who cannot join
- More than 18 months post-traumatic interval.
- Old patient more than 70 years with multiple co morbidities.
- Neglected patient with atrophied limb, muscle fibrosis and joint stiffness.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: Elbow Flexion Reanimation in Patients With Traumatic Brachial Plexus Injury, Different Techniques With Variable Outcome
This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of different techniques in the restoration of elbow flexion in post-traumatic brachial plexus patients as regards timing and degree of recovery.
Read the detailed description
Traumatic brachial plexus injuries (BPI) are devastating life-altering events, with pervasive detrimental effects on a patient's physical, psychosocial and financial well-being. A full spectrum of techniques including neurolysis, nerve grafting, nerve transfers, free functional muscle transfers, tendon transfers, and joint arthrodesis.
Restoration of elbow flexion is an important goal in the treatment of patients with traumatic brachial plexus injury (BPI). The majority of patients with traumatic BPIs have injuries to the proximal elements of the spinal nerve roots or rootlets, which needs interposition nerve grafting. To restore elbow flexion in patients with preganglionic or avulsion injuries nerve transfers are a valuable option. Consequently, neurotization is frequently used as the primary reconstruction option in patients with deficient elbow flexion following traumatic BPIs.
- Conditions
- Elbow Flexion, Reanimation, Traumatic Brachial Plexus Injury
- Being tested
- Oberlin Nerve Transfer, Intercostal Nerve Transfer
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Oberlin Nerve TransferProcedure or surgery
Patients with traumatic brachial plexus injury affecting elbow flexion who underwent Oberlin nerve transfer. A motor fascicle of the ulnar nerve supplying the flexor carpi ulnaris was transferred to the biceps motor branch of the musculocutaneous nerve using tension-free microsurgical sutures reinforced with fibrin glue. Patients underwent postoperative immobilization followed by individualized rehabilitation and clinical assessment of elbow flexion recovery using the Medical Research Council muscle strength scale.
Intercostal Nerve TransferProcedure or surgery
Patients with traumatic brachial plexus injury affecting elbow flexion who underwent intercostal nerve transfer. Two intercostal nerves were harvested, passed through a subcutaneous axillary tunnel, and transferred to the biceps motor branch of the musculocutaneous nerve. Patients underwent postoperative immobilization followed by individualized rehabilitation and clinical assessment of elbow flexion recovery using the Medical Research Council muscle strength scale.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Oberlin transfer group | Patients with traumatic brachial plexus injury affecting elbow flexion who underwent Oberlin nerve transfer. Receives: Procedure: Oberlin Nerve Transfer | |
| Intercostal transfer group | Patients with traumatic brachial plexus injury affecting elbow flexion who underwent intercostal nerve transfer. Receives: Procedure: Intercostal Nerve Transfer |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Assessment of Elbow Flexion Muscle Strength
Postoperative elbow flexion muscle strength assessed using the Medical Research Council (MRC) scale and compared between the Oberlin nerve transfer and intercostal nerve transfer cohorts. Scores range from 0 (no muscle contraction) to 5 (normal muscle strength), with higher scores indicating better recovery. Useful motor recovery is defined as an MRC grade of 3 or higher, indicating elbow flexion against gravity.
Measured: 24 months after surgery
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted19 Oct 2026
- Study start7 Apr 2023
- Primary completion23 Aug 2025
- Study completion23 Aug 2025
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Elbow FlexionStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Tanta UniversityThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Observational
- Observational model
- Cohort
- Time perspective
- Prospective
- Enrolment
- 30 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Tanta University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Moustafa Ahmed Moustafa Aboushehata, Tanta University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07879794
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 36264MD68/4/23
- Status last verified
- Oct 2026
- First submitted
- 10 Oct 2026
- Last updated
- 19 Oct 2026
- Results posted
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Yes: The data will be available upon a reasonable request from the corresponding author after the end of study for one year.
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 19 Oct 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Elbow Flexion Reanimation in Patients With Traumatic Brachial Plexus Injury, Different Techniques With Variable Outcome
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07879794
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 36264MD68/4/23
- Conditions
- Elbow Flexion, Reanimation, Traumatic Brachial Plexus Injury
- Study type
- Observational
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 30 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Tanta UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 7 Apr 2023 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 23 Aug 2025 (actual)
- Study completion
- 23 Aug 2025 (actual)
- First posted
- 19 Oct 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of different techniques in the restoration of elbow flexion in post-traumatic brachial plexus patients as regards timing and degree of recovery.
Detailed description
Traumatic brachial plexus injuries (BPI) are devastating life-altering events, with pervasive detrimental effects on a patient's physical, psychosocial and financial well-being. A full spectrum of techniques including neurolysis, nerve grafting, nerve transfers, free functional muscle transfers, tendon transfers, and joint arthrodesis.
Restoration of elbow flexion is an important goal in the treatment of patients with traumatic brachial plexus injury (BPI). The majority of patients with traumatic BPIs have injuries to the proximal elements of the spinal nerve roots or rootlets, which needs interposition nerve grafting. To restore elbow flexion in patients with preganglionic or avulsion injuries nerve transfers are a valuable option. Consequently, neurotization is frequently used as the primary reconstruction option in patients with deficient elbow flexion following traumatic BPIs.
Study design
- Observational model
- Cohort
- Time perspective
- Prospective
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Oberlin transfer group | – | Procedure: Oberlin Nerve TransferPatients with traumatic brachial plexus injury affecting elbow flexion who underwent Oberlin nerve transfer. |
| Intercostal transfer group | – | Procedure: Intercostal Nerve TransferPatients with traumatic brachial plexus injury affecting elbow flexion who underwent intercostal nerve transfer. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- Up to 70 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Child, Adult, Older adult
- Study population
- This prospective study was carried out on 30 patients admitted to neurosurgery department Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University and Mansoura university in the period from April 2023 to August 2025 presented with post-traumatic brachial plexus injury with failed conservative measurements for at least three months.
Key inclusion criteria (3 listed)
- Post-traumatic brachial plexus injury affecting elbow flexion.
- Less than 18 months post-traumatic interval.
- Not previously operated for microsurgical repair of brachial plexus.
Key exclusion criteria (3 listed)
- More than 18 months post-traumatic interval.
- Old patient more than 70 years with multiple co morbidities.
- Neglected patient with atrophied limb, muscle fibrosis and joint stiffness.
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Oberlin Nerve TransferPatients with traumatic brachial plexus injury affecting elbow flexion who underwent Oberlin nerve transfer. A motor fascicle of the ulnar nerve supplying the flexor carpi ulnaris was transferred to the biceps motor branch of the musculocutaneous nerve using tension-free microsurgical sutures reinforced with fibrin glue. Patients underwent postoperative immobilization followed by individualized rehabilitation and clinical assessment of elbow flexion recovery using the Medical Research Council muscle strength scale. | Procedure or surgery | Oberlin transfer group |
| Intercostal Nerve TransferPatients with traumatic brachial plexus injury affecting elbow flexion who underwent intercostal nerve transfer. Two intercostal nerves were harvested, passed through a subcutaneous axillary tunnel, and transferred to the biceps motor branch of the musculocutaneous nerve. Patients underwent postoperative immobilization followed by individualized rehabilitation and clinical assessment of elbow flexion recovery using the Medical Research Council muscle strength scale. | Procedure or surgery | Intercostal transfer group |
Primary outcome
Assessment of Elbow Flexion Muscle Strength
Time frame: 24 months after surgery
Postoperative elbow flexion muscle strength assessed using the Medical Research Council (MRC) scale and compared between the Oberlin nerve transfer and intercostal nerve transfer cohorts. Scores range from 0 (no muscle contraction) to 5 (normal muscle strength), with higher scores indicating better recovery. Useful motor recovery is defined as an MRC grade of 3 or higher, indicating elbow flexion against gravity.
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 19 Oct 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Yes. The data will be available upon a reasonable request from the corresponding author after the end of study for one year.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
An observational study of Elbow Flexion and Reanimation, run by Tanta University at 1 site in Egypt.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 3 inclusion and 3 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 19 Oct 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Egypt. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Assessment of Elbow Flexion Muscle Strength (time frame: 24 months after surgery). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 19 Oct 2026.