Use of quantitative intra-operative electrodiagnosis during partial ulnar nerve transfer to restore elbow flexion: the treatment of eight patients following a brachial plexus injury

The transfer of part of the ulnar nerve to the musculocutaneous nerve, first described by Oberlin, can restore flexion of the elbow following brachial plexus injury. In this study we evaluated the additional benefits and effectiveness of quantitative electrodiagnosis to select a donor fascicle. Eight patients who had undergone transfer of a simple fascicle of the ulnar nerve to the motor branch of the musculocutaneous nerve were evaluated. In two early patients electrodiagnosis had not been used. In the remaining six patients, however, all fascicles of the ulnar nerve were separated and electrodiagnosis was performed after stimulation with a commercially available electromyographic system. In these procedures, recording electrodes were placed in flexor carpi ulnaris and the first dorsal interosseous. A single fascicle in the flexor carpi ulnaris in which a high amplitude had been recorded was selected as a donor and transferred to the musculocutaneous nerve. In the two patients who had not undergone electrodiagnosis, the recovery of biceps proved insufficient for normal use. Conversely, in the six patients in whom quantitative electrodiagnosis was used, elbow flexion recovered to an M4 level. Quantitative intra-operative electrodiagnosis is an effective method of selecting a favourable donor fascicle during the Oberlin procedure. Moreover, fascicles showing a high-amplitude in reading flexor carpi ulnaris are donor nerves that can restore normal elbow flexion without intrinsic loss.     

正中神经、尺神经部分束支移位术重建屈肘功能的远期疗效分析

目的 观察正中神经、尺神经部分束支移位重建屈肘功能的远期疗效，总结其手术适应证的影响疗效的因素。方法 对36例患者进行平均为29．2个月的长期随访，按结果评定手术疗效并分析影响疗效的主要因素。结果 手术有效率达94．4％，优良率达63．9％。影响手术疗效的6个主要因素为：损伤类型、受伤原因、手术距受伤时间、患者年龄、供体神经的选择及术后功能锻炼。准确判断患者的损伤类型，严格掌握手术适应证是手术成功的关键。结论 正中神经、尺神经部分束支移位术是治疗臂丛神经上干型根性撕脱伤的一种安全、可靠而有效的手术方法。     

正中神经、尺神经部分束支移位术重建屈肘功能

目的 观察正中神经、尺神经部分束支移位术的临床疗效及手术前后供体神经功能的变化,分析影响手术疗效的因素。方法 应用正中神经、尺神经部分束支移接给肱二头肌肌支治疗臂丛神经上千型根性撕脱伤,重建屈肘功能。对施行手术的36例患者进行6个月至5年多的随访,根据肱二头肌肌力和肘关节主动活动范围,将患者术后恢复情况分为三级：优：肱二头肌肌力达4级以上,肘关节屈曲达90度以上;可：肱二头肌肌力达3级,肘关节屈曲达60～90度;差：肱二头肌肌力2级以下,肘关节屈曲60度以下。分析影响疗效的几种因素。结果 手术疗效显著,有效率(肱二头肌肌力3级以上)达94．4％,优良率(肱二头肌肌力4级以上)达63．9％。手术前后供体神经功能没有明显变化。影响手术疗效的主要因素有：损伤类型、损伤原因、手术距损伤的间隔时间、患者年龄、供体神经的选择及术后功能锻炼。准确判断患者的损伤类型,严格掌握手术适应证是手术成功的关键。结论 正中神经、尺神经部分束支移位术是治疗臂丛神经上千型根性撕脱伤的一种安全、可靠、有效的手术方法。     

神经束移位重建屈肘功能

目的评价用神经束移位恢复屈肘功能的手术方法与临床疗效.方法对臂丛损伤,分别应用正中神经、尺神经、胸背神经及健侧C7部分神经束移位与肌皮神经肱二头肌支缝合恢复屈肘功能.结果临床应用52例中有26例肱二头肌力达M4级,屈曲肘关节达90°以上,供体神经无明显的损害.结论利用神经束移位可以提供足够的神经纤维,恢复肱二头肌的神经支配.     

The radio-radial nerve transfer for elbow extension restoration in C5 to C7 nerve root injury

Extension of the elbow is required to oppose gravity; however, activation of the triceps brachii is frequently underestimated during the surgical planning for brachial plexus injuries. This report aims to describe a novel technique of distal nerve transfer designed for elbow extension reconstruction in patients sustaining a C5-C7 nerve root injury. We report a patient sustaining a brachial plexus injury with triceps palsy and preserved finger extension motion; after careful intraneural dissection of the radial nerve, a fascicle innervating the extensor digitorum communis muscle was sectioned, derouted and connected to a motor branch to the lateral head of the triceps. Eleven months after surgery, elbow extension strength scored MRC M4. No deficits on finger extension were observed.     

神经束移位治疗臂丛神经根性撕脱伤70例临床报告

目的 观察应用神经束移位治疗臂丛神经根性撕脱伤的效果。方法 对７０例患者,于上臂上中部切取正中神经、心神经、胸背神经及健侧Ｃ７神经束移位给肱二头肌肌支、三角肌肌支等,重建肩、肘关节的功能。结果 供区部分神经切取后对肢体功能无明显影响。正中神经、尺神经部分束文、胸背神经、健侧Ｃ７束支移位比全干移位对肌功能的影响小,且同样有效。结论 肱二头肌肌支、三角肌肌支的神经纤维数量少,用供体神经部分神经束即可提供充足的神经纤维,且能保证移位的神经纤维能良好地长入肱二头肌和三角肌。     

联合尺神经束支和臂丛外神经移位治疗臂丛损伤

目的 观察联合尺神经束支和臂丛外神经移位治疗臂丛损伤的临床效果.方法 臂丛损伤6例,其中单纯上干损伤4例;上中干为主,合并下干部分损伤2例.伤后平均2.8个月接受手术.术式包括尺神经部分束支转位至肌皮神经肱二头肌肌支,膈神经或者副神经斜方肌支转位至肩胛上神经,桡神经肱三头肌长头肌支转位修复腋神经肌支.用肱二头肌、岗上肌和三角肌肌力,肩外展和上举角度,尺神经功能损失等指标对手术方式和效果进行评估.结果 6例中5例得到随访,平均随访时间18个月,肱二头肌均在术后3～4个月开始恢复肌力.随访时间18个月以上的4例屈肘M_4~+～M_5;随访时间4个月的1例屈肘M_3~+.其中3例行外展功能重建,单用膈神经修复的病例上臂可上举至180°,外展肌力M_4~+;联合副神经和肱三头肌长头肌支修复的病例上肢可外展90°,肌力M_4~-;单用副神经修复的病例上肢可外展80°,肌力M_3~+.3例手部握持力与术前相同,2例增强.4例手部尺神经供区功能无明显影响,1例小指掌侧皮肤感觉减退,第一骨间背侧肌萎缩.结论 尺神经部分束支转位修复肱二头肌支可以有效的恢复臂丛损伤后屈肘功能;用膈神经修复肩胛上神经可能取得更好的肩外展和上举效果;本组臂丛下干部分损伤的病例受伤均在3个月内,采用此术式同样恢复了肱二头肌功能,未加重原有的手功能障碍.     

Brachialis-to-extensor carpi radialis longus selective nerve transfer to restore wrist extension in tetraplegia: case report

Active wrist extension allowing tenodesis grip is the key function in high-level tetraplegic patients. It is absent and cannot be restored by traditional tendon transfer in patients who have no transferable muscle below the elbow. We present a 36-year-old man with high-level tetraplegia treated 12 months after injury who regained active wrist extension after transfer of the brachialis muscle branch of the musculocutaneous nerve to the extensor carpi radialis longus muscle branch of the radial nerve. No functional deficit of elbow flexion occurred after reconstruction.     

Transfer of axillary nerve branches to reconstruct elbow extension in tetraplegics: a laboratory investigation of surgical feasibility

In spinal cord injuries at the C6 level, elbow extension is lost and needs reconstruction. Traditionally, elbow extension has been reconstructed by muscle transfers, which improve function only moderately. We have hypothesized that outcomes could be ameliorated by nerve transfers rather than muscle transfers. We anatomically investigated nerve branches to the teres minor and posterior deltoid as donors for transfer to triceps motor branches. In eight formalin-fixed cadavers, the axillary nerve, the teres minor branch, the posterior deltoid branch, the triceps long and upper medial head motor branches, and the thoracodorsal nerve were dissected bilaterally, their diameters measured and their myelinated fibers counted. To simulate surgery, using an axillary approach in two fresh cadavers, we transferred the teres minor or the posterior deltoid branch to the triceps long head and to the thoracodorsal nerve. The posterior division of the axillary nerve gave off the teres minor motor branch and then the branch to the posterior deltoid, terminating as the superior lateral brachial cutaneous nerve. The diameters of the teres minor motor branch, posterior deltoid, triceps long and upper medial head branches, and the thoracodorsal nerve all were ～2 mm, with minimal variation. The nerves varied little in their numbers of myelinated fibers, being consistently about 1,000. Via an axillary approach, either the teres minor or the posterior deltoid branch could be transferred directly to the thoracodorsal nerve or to triceps branches without any tension.     

多组神经移位治疗臂丛上、中干根性撕脱伤重建肩外展及屈肘功能

目的 观察联合应用多组神经移位治疗臂丛上、中干根性撕脱伤的临床效果。方法 我科于2012年4月至2014年4月收治臂丛上、中干根性撕脱伤损伤患者16例,采用副神经斜方肌肌支移位修复肩胛上神经、桡神经肱三头肌长头支移位修复腋神经肌支及Oberlin术式,联合修复臂丛上、中干根性撕脱伤,恢复肩外展及屈肘功能。术后随访采用DASH评分表进行手术疗效评估。结果 术后16例患者中14例得到随访。随访24—28个月(平均25个月),患者肩关节外展恢复至75°-90°,恢复时间9-18个月(平均14个月)。屈肘恢复至100°-160°,恢复时间4-7.5个月（平均5.8个月）。DASH评分8-14分,平均14.6分。结论 臂丛上、中干损伤使用多组神经移位联合治疗,可较好恢复肩外展及屈肘功能,尺神经部分束支移位修复肌皮神经肱二头肌支对手内在肌功能无明显影响。     

Axillary nerve repair by fascicle transfer from the ulnar or median nerve in upper brachial plexus palsy

Object Nerve repair using motor fascicles of a different nerve was first described for the repair of elbow flexion (Oberlin technique). In this paper, the authors describe their experience with a similar method for axillary nerve reconstruction in cases of upper brachial plexus palsy. Methods Of 791 nerve reconstructions performed by the senior author (P.H.) between 1993 and 2011 in 441 patients with brachial plexus injury, 14 involved axillary nerve repair by fascicle transfer from the ulnar or median nerve. All 14 of these procedures were performed between 2007 and 2010. This technique was used only when there was a deficit of the thoracodorsal or long thoracic nerve, which are normally used as donors. Results Nine patients were followed up for 24 months or longer. Good recovery of deltoid muscle strength was seen in 7 (77.8%) of these 9 patients, and in 4 patients with less follow-up (14-23 months), for an overall success rate of 78.6%. The procedure was unsuccessful in 2 of the 9 patients with at least 24 months of follow-up. The first showed no signs of reinnervation of the axillary nerve by either clinical or electromyographic evaluation in 26 months of follow-up, and the second had Medical Research Council (MRC) Grade 2 strength in the deltoid muscle 36 months after the operation. The last of the group of 14 patients has had 12 months of follow-up and is showing progressive improvement of deltoid muscle function (MRC Grade 2). Conclusions The authors conclude that fascicle transfer from the ulnar or median nerve onto the axillary nerve is a safe and effective method for reconstruction of the axillary nerve in patients with upper brachial plexus injury.     

神经束支移位重建屈肘功能80例随访分析

目的 评价用神经束支移位恢复屈肘功能的手术结果和影响疗效的因素。方法 臂丛神经上干根性损伤或上干根性损伤合并中、下干不全损伤的病例，应用正中神经束支或尺神经束支移位与肌皮神经肱二头肌支相吻合，恢复屈肘功能，临床治疗80例。结果术后经过8～108个月随访，肱二头肌力达M4者50例，肌力达M3者16例，M3以下者14例；手术有效率为(肱二头肌力M3以上)82．5％，优良率(肱二头肌肌力M4以上，为62．5％。结论对于臂丛神经上干或上、中干根性的损伤应首选尺神经或正中神经束支移位修复，重建恢复屈肘功能。     

胸背神经双分支的解剖研究与临床应用

目的 对胸背神经的外侧束和腋神经穿越四边孔后支配的三角肌肌支进行显微解剖研究,并应用于临床,为臂丛神经损伤后功能重建提供新的方法。方法 取17具成人尸体,在手术显微镜下对31侧胸背神经外侧束和液神经三角肌肌支进行解剖,观察其可应用长度、直径及分支情况,并取神经标本经HE染色、石蜡切片,对有髓神经纤维进行计数。临床上进行3例手术。例1钭胸背神经外侧束与四边孔内切断的腋神经三角肌肌支吻合,例2在例1休式基础上,用胸背神经内侧束支配的部分背阔肌重建屈肘功能,例3将背阔肌按内、外侧束的支配区域,剪切成两部分,移位的同时重建屈肘、屈指功能,结果 胸背神经在人背阔肌处开始分为内、外侧束,外侧束明显较内侧束粗大,外侧束在背阔肌内可利用的长度平均为58.2mm直径平均为1.46mm,有髓纤维数平均为1519根,90.4%的外侧束可再分为2支或3支,腋神经三角肌肌支直径平均为2.31mm,有髓纤维数 平均为2341根,61.3%的三角肌肌支可再分为3支,32.3%的三角肌肌支可再分为2支,3例术后情况：例1三角肌肌力为4级;例2三角肌肌力为4级,屈肘时肌力为4级;例3屈肘、指时肌力均达到4级。结论 应用胸背双分支的解剖基础。将胸背神经外侧束与腋神经三角肌肌支相吻合恢复三角肌的功能,从理论和[实践上是统一的,是行这有效的方法,充分利用胸背神经双分支的原理可以重建两块失神经支配的肌群功能。     

正中神经束支移位重建屈肘功能

目的 探讨正中神经束支移位重建屈肘功能的临床疗效,观察供体神经的变化.方法 在臂丛神经上干损伤屈肘功能障碍时,应用正中神经部分束支移位与肌皮神经肱二头肌支吻合重建屈肘功能14例,并进行10～36个月的随访.根据肱二头肌肌力和肘关节活动范围评定术后疗效.结果 本组优9例,可3例,差2例.影响手术疗效的因素有年龄、损伤距手术时间、臂丛神经损伤的程度、神经吻合的质量,以及功能锻炼的方式方法.手术前后供体神经功能没有明显变化.结论 正中神经部分束支移位重建屈肘功能是治疗臂丛神经上干损伤的一种简便、安全、疗效可靠的治疗方法.     

多组神经束支部移位治疗臂丛神经上干损伤的近期疗效

目的 通过在各受区神经近入肌点处同时进行多组神经束支部移位,恢复臂丛神经上干损伤后丧失的肩肘功能.方法 2007年2月-9月,收治4例单纯臂丛神经上干损伤男性患者.年龄21～39岁.均为车祸伤.左侧1例,右侧3例.患侧肩关节外展、外旋、上举及屈肘不能;耸肩、伸肘、屈伸腕指肌力≥4级.肌电图检查:副神经、尺神经及肱三头肌长头肌支功能好;正中神经功能轻度受损.患者于伤后3～11个月入院.于全麻下行后路副神经到肩胛上神经、肱三头肌肌支到腋神经、尺神经部分束支到肱二头肌肌支和/或正中神经部分束支到肱肌肌支移位术.结果 术后切口均Ⅰ期愈合,其中1例术后出现手部尺侧麻木症状,经对症处理后症状消失.余患者未出现与供区神经相关的运动、感觉功能受损症状.4例均获随访,随访时间7～12个月.术后3～4个月患侧均出现肩外展、屈肘动作.肌电图显示3组受区肌肉均可记录到新生电位.术后6～7个月,患者肩外展30～65°,屈肘90～120°,肌力3～4级.1例随访12个月患者肩外展、上举、外旋及届肘主动活动度基本正常,三角肌、肱二头肌外形轮廓接近正常.结论 应用功能相近的供体神经进行多组神经束支部移位具有供区损失小、恢复时间快、功能恢复佳等优点.尤其适合因伤后时间长延误治疗及锁骨上探查有风险的臂丛神经上干损伤患者.     

Technique of the double nerve transfer to recover elbow flexion in C5, C6, or C5 to C7 brachial plexus palsy

In C5, C6, or C5-to-C7 root injuries, many surgical procedures have been proposed to restore active elbow flexion. Nerve grafts or nerve transfers are the main techniques being carried out. The transfer of ulnar nerve fascicles to the biceps branch of the musculocutaneous nerve is currently proposed to restore active elbow flexion. Recovery of biceps muscle function is generally sufficient to obtain elbow flexion. However, the strength of elbow flexion is sometimes weak because the brachialis muscle is not reinnervated. Therefore, the transfer of 1 fascicle of the median nerve to the brachialis branch of the musculocutaneous nerve may be proposed to improve strength of the elbow flexion. We describe the technique of this double transfer to restore elbow flexion. The results concerning 5 patients are presented.     

Transfer of one fascicle of ulnar nerve to functioning free gracilis muscle transplantation for elbow flexion

Background: In brachial plexus injury, elbow flexion is the first priority in reconstruction. Neglected cases need functioning free muscle transplantation that requires the donor nerve to supply the transplanted muscle. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects and results of transferring one fascicle of the ulnar nerve to the transplanted gracilis muscle. Methods: One woman and two men with neglected avulsions of the C5,C6 roots of the brachial plexus underwent free gracilis muscle transfer for elbow flexion. One fascicle of the ulnar nerve was used as the donor nerve. Results: The mean period of follow‐up was 33.3 months. The average reinnervation time of gracilis muscle was 3.7 months. At the final examination, the mean strength of elbow flexion was 4.3 kgf. The grip strength, moving two‐point discrimination and the strength of the wrist volar flexion on the affected side was not worse than before surgery in any patient at the last follow‐up examination. Conclusions: A fascicle of the ulnar nerve can be one of the most effective options for functioning free muscle transplantation for elbow flexion.     

Transfer of a single fascicle from the ulnar nerve to the biceps muscle after avulsions of upper roots of the brachial plexus

Thirty-six patients with avulsions of upper roots of the brachial plexus underwent transfer of a single fascicle from the ulnar nerve to the proximal motor branch of the biceps muscle to restore elbow flexion. The mean period of follow-up was 22 months. The average reinnervation time for the biceps muscle was 3.3 months. Thirty-four patients achieved biceps strength of Medical Research Council grade 3 or better. The operative results in the patients with C5, C6 avulsions were better than those with C5, C6, C7 avulsions. At the last follow-up examination, grip strength, pinch strength, moving two-point discrimination and the strength of flexion of the wrist on the affected side was not worse than before surgery in any patient.     

骨间前神经旋前方肌支移位在高位尺神经损伤中的应用

目的研究高位尺神经损伤后用骨间前神经旋前方肌肌支移位修复尺神经深支的手术方法。方法2002年10月-2005年8月，对18例高位尺神经损伤的患者，应用骨间前神经旋前方肌肌支移位与尺神经腕部深支进行吻合。结果术后15例获得随访，随访时间为3个月～3年，平均1．7年。手内肌肌力恢复M2 2例，M3 2例，M4 6例，M5 5例，优良率为73％。结论骨间前神经旋前方肌支转位修复尺神经深支可达到肌支-肌支修复，缩短了神经再生的距离和时间，有利于手内在肌功能的恢复，是一种有效的手术方法。     

Surgical outcomes following nerve transfers in upper brachial plexus injuries

Background:

Brachial plexus injuries represent devastating injuries with a poor prognosis. Neurolysis, nerve repair, nerve grafts, nerve transfer, functioning free-muscle transfer and pedicle muscle transfer are the main surgical procedures for treating these injuries. Among these, nerve transfer or neurotization is mainly indicated in root avulsion injury.

Materials and Methods:

We analysed the results of various neurotization techniques in 20 patients (age group 20-41 years, mean 25.7 years) in terms of denervation time, recovery time and functional results. The inclusion criteria for the study included irreparable injuries to the upper roots of brachial plexus (C5, C6 and C7 roots in various combinations), surgery within 10 months of injury and a minimum follow-up period of 18 months. The average denervation period was 4.2 months. Shoulder functions were restored by transfer of spinal accessory nerve to suprascapular nerve (19 patients), and phrenic nerve to suprascapular nerve (1 patient). In 11 patients, axillary nerve was also neurotized using different donors - radial nerve branch to the long head triceps (7 patients), intercostal nerves (2 patients), and phrenic nerve with nerve graft (2 patients). Elbow flexion was restored by transfer of ulnar nerve motor fascicle to the motor branch of biceps (4 patients), both ulnar and median nerve motor fascicles to the biceps and brachialis motor nerves (10 patients), spinal accessory nerve to musculocutaneous nerve with an intervening sural nerve graft (1 patient), intercostal nerves (3rd, 4th and 5th) to musculocutaneous nerve (4 patients) and phrenic nerve to musculocutaneous nerve with an intervening graft (1 patient).

Results:

Motor and sensory recovery was assessed according to Medical Research Council (MRC) Scoring system. In shoulder abduction, five patients scored M4 and three patients M3+. Fair results were obtained in remaining 12 patients. The achieved abduction averaged 95 degrees (range, 50 - 170 degrees). Eight patients scored M4 power in elbow flexion and assessed as excellent results. Good results (M3+) were obtained in seven patients. Five patients had fair results (M2+ to M3).