Early tendon transfer for radial nerve transection.

A retrospective comparison of twelve patients with radial nerve transection treated by nerce repair, and thirteen similar patients treated by tendon transfer only, showed an average time to recovery of 7.5 months after nerve repair, and eight weeks after transfer. In view of this, a policy of early tendon transfer instead of radial nerve suture is advised. Results are reported in nine patients who had tendon transfers at an average of thirteen days after nerve injury.