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The authors present a technique of palliative treatment of trapezius paralysis after injury to the spinal accessory nerve. The transfer of the levator scapulae associated, or not, with the rhomboid minor allows regression of functional signs and a return to normal function of the shoulder. Five cases are exposed, with results ranging from 3 months to 15 years.

Electrophysiological studies of the rather strange, enigmatic, likely vestigial omohyoid muscle led the authors to point out the dual nature of its two bellies. Electromyographically, the inferior belly with a nearly constant activity may be opposed to the superior belly with intermittent activity. Motor nerve stimulation combined with electromyographic study demonstrated the superior belly to be supplied by the ansa cervicalis while the inferior belly is supplied by the accessory nerve. Based on these findings, anatomical studies conducted with histological examination were consistent with this double innervation.