Preface

Brachial plexus surgery remains an innovating field within functional reconstructive surgery, especially due to the expanding use of nerve transfers in the last twenty years.

Dealing with patients suffering from a brachial plexus or related lesion, either obstetrical or traumatic, infection or tumor, nerve compression or rupture, is a permanent challenge. Better techniques in nerve transfers and their use for tetra- or paraplegia, spasticity, or arthrogryposis are examples of advancements in the field.

Our wish is that this book allows further insight and discussion, stimulates experts and newcomers, and adds to our global knowledge of brachial plexus injury and treatment.

I wish to thank the staff at IntechOpen, particularly Project Manager Karmen Đaleta, for their assistance throughout the publication process.

> **Jörg Bahm** Division of Plexus Surgery, Department for Plastic, Hand and Burn Surgery, RWTH University Hospital, Aachen, Germany

Section 1 Introduction

## **Chapter 1**
