Axillary nerve neurotization with the anterior deltopectoral approach in brachial plexus injuries

Combined neurotization of both axillary and suprascapular nerves in shoulder reanimation has been widely accepted in brachial plexus injuries, and the functional outcome is much superior to single nerve transfer. This study describes the surgical anatomy for axillary nerve relative to the available donor nerves and emphasize the salient technical aspects of anterior deltopectoral approach in brachial plexus injuries. Fifteen patients with brachial plexus injury who had axillary nerve neurotizations were evaluated. Five patients had complete avulsion, 9 patients had C5, six patients had brachial plexus injury pattern, and one patient had combined axillary and suprascapular nerve injury. The long head of triceps branch was the donor in C5,6 injuries; nerve to brachialis in combined nerve injury and intercostals for C5‐T1 avulsion injuries. All these donors were identified through the anterior approach, and the nerve transfer was done. The recovery of deltoid was found excellent (M5) in C5,6 brachial plexus injuries with an average of 134.4° abduction at follow up of average 34.6 months. The shoulder recovery was good with 130° abduction in a case of combined axillary and suprascapular nerve injury. The deltoid recovery was good (M3) in C5‐T1 avulsion injuries patients with an average of 64° shoulder abduction at follow up of 35 months. We believe that anterior approach is simple and easy for all axillary nerve transfers in brachial plexus injuries. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery, 2012.     

Accessory nerve neurotization in infants with brachial plexus birth palsy

We report the surgical results of 13 accessory nerve neurotizations in brachial plexus birth palsy. The mean age at operation was 5.9 months. The accessory nerve was transferred to three C5 roots, to three C6 roots, to four posterior division of the middle trunks, to one musculocutaneous nerve, and to two suprascapular nerves. Sixty-seven percent of the cases acquired M4 or more in the deltoid muscle, 88% in the infraspinatus muscle, and 100% in the biceps brachii muscle. Twenty-five percent of the cases acquired M4 or more in the triceps brachii muscle and the wrist extensor muscles. These results were much better than formerly reported for adult cases by other authors. No functional compromise of the trapezius muscle was noted. The accessory nerve neurotization can be used safely and effectively in neurosurgical reconstruction of the brachial plexus palsy in infants. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Extraplexual neurotization of brachial plexus

The authors reviewed 62 neurotizations of the brachial plexus in 71 patients performed between 1974 and 1989. The nerves used were the accessory, the motor or sensory branches of the cervical plexus, and the intercostals. Twenty-five suprascapular nerves, 19 musculocutaneous, 4 medial roots of the median nerve, and 12 lateral roots of the median nerve were neurotized. The authors concluded that useful results can be achieved using extraplexual neurotizations. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

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).     

Contralateral C7 nerve root transfer to neurotize the upper trunk via a modified prespinal route in repair of brachial plexus avulsion injury

Purpose: In this report, we present our experience on the repair of brachial plexus root avulsion injuries with the use of contralateral C7 nerve root transfers with nerve grafting through a modified prespinal route. Methods: The outcomes of the contralateral C7 nerve root transfer to neurotize the upper trunk and C5/C6 nerve roots of the total or near total brachial plexus nerve root avulsion injury in a series of 41 patients were evaluated. The contralateral C7 nerve root that was dissected to the distal end of the divisions, along with the sural nerve graft, were placed underneath the anterior scalene and longus colli muscles, and then passed through the retro‐esophageal space to neurotize the recipient nerve. The mean length of the dissected contralateral C7 nerve root was 6.5 ± 0.7 cm, and the mean length of sural nerve graft was 6.8 ± 1.9 cm. The suprascapular nerve was neurotized additionally by the phrenic nerve or the terminal motor branch of accessory nerve in some patients. Results: The mean length of the follow‐up was 47.2 ± 14.5 months. The muscle strength was graded M4 or M3 for the biceps muscle in 85.4% of patients, for the deltoid muscle in 82.9% of patients, and for the upper parts of pectoral major in 92.7% of patients. The functional recovery of shoulder abduction in the patients with the additional suprascapular nerve neurotization was remarkably improved. Conclusions: The modified prespinal route could significantly reduced the length of nerve graft in the contralateral C7 nerve root transfer to the injured upper trunk in brachial plexus root avulsion injury, and it may improve the functional outcomes, which deserves further investigations. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery, 2012.     

健侧C7 神经根经椎体前移位修复臂丛上干损伤的中期临床随访

目的 观察健侧C7 神经根经椎体前通路移位修复臂丛上干损伤重建肩外展、屈肘功能的中期效果.方法 健侧C7 神经根经椎体前通路移位修复臂丛上干损伤患者15例,男14例,女1例;年龄15～43岁,平均30岁.全臂丛撕脱伤7例,上、中干撕脱伴下干不全损伤6例,上、中干损伤2例.健侧C7 神经根经椎体前通路移位到患侧臂丛上干的距离平均(7.6±1.7)cm,8例同时行副神经或膈神经移位单独修复肩胛上神经.结果 随访36～63个月,平均50个月.健侧上肢用力内收时,12例患者的肱二头肌、三角肌、胸大肌锁骨部、冈上肌肌力(8例来自副神经或膈神经的支配)均达到4级,大脑皮层运动支配中枢发生临床转化;另3例肌力为3级或以下,尚未发生大脑皮层运动支配中枢的临床转化.健侧上肢用力内收时,8例肩胛上神经单独修复者的肩外展角度平均78.0°,另7例平均43.1..结论 健侧C7 神经根经椎体前通路移位可用于修复臂丛上千损伤,桥接神经的距离短,重建肩外展及屈肘功能的效果良好,大脑皮层运动支配中枢可发生临床转化.     

Hemihypoglossal nerve transfer in brachial plexus repair: technique and results

OBJECTIVE: In multiple avulsions of the brachial plexus, the search for extraplexal donor nerves in the hope of achieving motor neurotization is a major goal. We explored the possibility of using the hypoglossal nerve as a transfer point to reanimate muscles in the upper limb. METHODS: The hypoglossal nerve was used as a donor nerve for neurotization in seven patients with avulsive injuries of the brachial plexus. The surgical technique--an end-to-side microsuture using approximately half of the nerve fascicles--is basically the same as that used in the hypoglossal nerve-facial nerve jump graft, which is a well-known technique in facial nerve reanimation. The recipient nerves were the suprascapular (two patients), the musculocutaneous (one patient), the posterior division of the upper trunk (two patients), and the medial contribution to the median nerve (two patients). RESULTS: In spite of a connection documented by electromyography and selective activation in three of seven patients, the functional results in our patients were extremely disappointing: no patient had an outcome better than M1 in the reinnervated muscles. CONCLUSION: This technique was of no help to the patients and thus has been abandoned at our institution.     

Direct repair (nerve grafting), neurotization, and end-to-side neurorrhaphy in the treatment of brachial plexus injury

OBJECT: The authors present the long-term results of nerve grafting and neurotization procedures in their group of patients with brachial plexus injuries and compare the results of "classic" methods of nerve repair with those of end-to-side neurorrhaphy. METHODS: Between 1994 and 2006, direct repair (nerve grafting), neurotization, and end-to-side neurorrhaphy were performed in 168 patients, 95 of whom were followed up for at least 2 years after surgery. Successful results were achieved in 79% of cases after direct repair and in 56% of cases after end-to-end neurotization. The results of neurotization depended on the type of the donor nerve used. In patients who underwent neurotization of the axillary and the musculocutaneous nerves, the use of intraplexal nerves (motor branches of the brachial plexus) as donors of motor fibers was associated with a significantly higher success rate than the use of extraplexal nerves (81% compared with 49%, respectively, p = 0.003). Because of poor functional results of axillary nerve neurotization using extraplexal nerves (success rate 47.4%), the authors used end-to-side neurorrhaphy in 14 cases of incomplete avulsion. The success rate for end-to-side neurorrhaphy using the axillary nerve as a recipient was 64.3%, similar to that for neurotization using intraplexal nerves (68.4%) and better than that achieved using extraplexal nerves (47.4%, p = 0.19). CONCLUSIONS: End-to-side neurorrhaphy offers an advantage over classic neurotization in not requiring sacrifice of any of the surrounding nerves or the fascicles of the ulnar nerve. Typical synkinesis of muscle contraction innervated by the recipient nerve with contraction of muscles innervated by the donor was observed in patients after end-to-side neurorrhaphy.     

Surgical treatment for total root avulsion type brachial plexus injuries by neurotization: A prospective comparison study between total and hemicontralateral C7 nerve root transfer

Purpose: We conducted a clinical study to evaluate the effects of neurotization, especially comparing the total contralateral C7 (CC7) root transfer to hemi‐CC7 transfer, on total root avulsion brachial plexus injuries (BPI). Methods: Forty patients who received neurotization for BPI were enrolled in this prospective study. Group 1 (n = 20) received hemi‐CC7 transfer for hand function, while group 2 (n = 20) received total‐CC7 transfer. Additional neurotization included spinal accessory, phrenic, and intercostal nerve transfer for shoulder and elbow function. The results were evaluated with an average of 6 years follow‐up. Results: Group 1 had fewer donor site complications (15%) than group 2 (45%); group 2 had significantly better hand M3 and M4 motor function (65%) than group 1 (30%; P = 0.02). There was no difference in sensory recovery. Significantly, better shoulder function was obtained by simultaneous neurotization on both suprascapular and axillary nerves. Conclusions: Total‐CC7 transfer had better hand recovery but more donor complications than hemi‐CC7. Neurotization on both supra‐scapular and axillary nerves improved shoulder recovery. © 2013 The Authors. Microsurgery published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery 34:91–101, 2014.     

颈7神经移位修复臂丛撕脱伤两根受损神经实验研究

目的 探索利用颈,神经移位同时修复两根受损神经的可行性. 方法 建立大鼠颈,移位同时修复两根受损神经的动物模型,并与传统C7单组移位术进行神经再生疗效的比较. 结果 各项指标显示:术后早期(2～6周)颈,修复两根神经组神经再生效果劣于同时间段单组移位组,但随观察时间延长,术后8周起各项再生指标逐渐接近单组移位组和正常对照组,至12周,多数指标差异已无统计学意义. 结论 大鼠颈7神经根能提供足够再生纤维同时恢复两根受损神经功能.     

大鼠改良颈7移位术的电生理研究

目的观察改良颈7移位术修复二组受损神经的电生理变化.方法建立大鼠颈7改良移位术模型（同侧颈7神经根后股,经同侧尺神经作为桥接神经分为两股与肌皮神经和正中神经内侧头缝合）,并与传统单组移位组进行神经电生理测定和比较.结果移位神经的各项电生理指标显示：术后早期（2～6周）,颈7二组神经移位组神经再生劣于同时间段单组移位组.随观察时间的延长,术后8周起,二组神经移位组肌电动作电位潜伏期及最大诱发电位波幅指标逐渐接近单组移位组和正常对照组,至12周上述指标与各组差异无统计学意义（P＞0.05）.结论大鼠改良颈7移位术电生理变化和传统单组移位术相近,说明颈7具有良好的再生潜力,可同时支配两组受损神经.     

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。     

The contralateral long thoracic nerve as a donor for upper brachial plexus neurotization procedures: cadaveric feasibility study

Object Various donor nerves, including the ipsilateral long thoracic nerve (LTN), have been used for brachial plexus neurotization procedures. Neurotization to proximal branches of the brachial plexus using the contralateral long thoracic nerve (LTN) has, to the authors' knowledge, not been previously explored. Methods In an attempt to identify an additional nerve donor candidate for proximal brachial plexus neurotization, the authors dissected the LTN in 8 adult human cadavers. The nerve was transected at its distal termination and then passed deep to the clavicle and axillary neurovascular bundle. This passed segment of nerve was then tunneled subcutaneously and contralaterally across the neck to a supra- and infraclavicular exposure of the suprascapular and musculocutaneous nerves. Measurements were made of the length and diameter of the LTN. Results All specimens were found to have a LTN that could be brought to the aforementioned contralateral nerves. Neural connections remained tension free with left and right neck rotation of ~ 45 degrees . The mean length of the LTN was 22 cm with a range of 18-27 cm. The overall mean diameter of this nerve was 3.0 mm. No gross evidence of injury to surrounding neurovascular structures was identified in any specimen. Conclusions Based on the results of this cadaveric study, the use of the contralateral LTN may be considered for neurotization of the proximal musculocutaneous and suprascapular nerves.     

Outcomes of surgical treatment of brachial plexus injuries using nerve grafting and nerve transfers

Between 1993 and 1998, 32 male patients with brachial plexus injuries were surgically treated. Eighteen interfascicular grafting and 71 extraplexal neurotization procedures were performed separately or in combination. Donor nerves were the intercostals, spinal accessory, phrenic, contralateral C7, and cervical plexus, in order of frequency. Patients were followed for a minimum of 24 (average, 35) months. Biceps function was best following grafting the musculocutaneous nerve itself, or neurotization with the phrenic nerve (100 percent grade 4), followed by neurotization with the intercostals (89.5 percent grade 3 or more) and last, grafting the C5 root or upper trunk (grade 3 in one of three patients). Phrenic to suprascapular neurotization produced the best results of shoulder abduction (40 to 90 degrees), followed by combined neurotization of the spinal accessory to suprascapular and phrenic to axillary (20 to 90 degrees). Sensory recovery over the lateral forearm and palm varied from S2 to S3+, according to the method of reconstruction.     

Clinical results of contralateral C7 root neurotization to the median nerve in brachial plexus injuries with total root avulsions

This prospective study was carried out to assess motor and sensory recovery after contralateral C7 root to median nerve neurotization in brachial plexus injuries with total root avulsions. The survey was carried out from 1993 to 1995 and the patients were followed up for at least 3 years. There were 96 male patients with ages ranging from 13 to 48 years. All had a unilateral brachial plexus injury with avulsion of all roots. This was confirmed by clinical assessment and exploration. The anterior part of the contralateral C7 root was used for neurotization via a reversed pedicular ulnar nerve graft and the proximal end of the graft was connected to the median nerve. Furthermore, phrenic nerve to suprascapular nerve and spinal accessory nerve (via a sural nerve graft) to musculocutaneous nerve neurotizations were also carried out to obtain shoulder abduction and elbow flexion. At the 3 year follow-up, most patients had encouraging recovery of sensory function in the hand but motor function of the forearm and hand muscles was rather poor. Acceptable motor function was found in only 50 to 60% of the patients who were younger than 18 years.     

Neurotization via the spinal accessory nerve in complete paralysis due to multiple avulsion injuries of the brachial plexus

The authors report their experience with 21 cases of neurotization via the spinal accessory nerve for multiple nerve root avulsion injuries of the brachial plexus associated with total paralysis of the upper limb. They performed microneuroanastomoses with interposed cable nerve grafts between the spinal accessory nerve taken in the supraclavicular fossa and the musculocutaneous nerve at its entrance into the biceps muscle. Surgical indications depend on the accurate diagnosis of spinal nerve root avulsion, especially C5. The anatomicosurgical basis of this technique is as precise as are the indications. As many as two-thirds of the patients with a neurotized musculocutaneous nerve can be expected to achieve strength of at least Grade 3 on late muscle testing. Nevertheless, these results are always inferior to those obtainable when grafting is performed with carefully selected unavulsed C5 or C6 spinal nerve root fibers in the intervertebral foramina. Therefore, neurotization via donor nerves extrinsic to the plexus should only be considered as a second-choice intervention.     

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.     

Restoration of shoulder function with nerve transfers in traumatic brachial plexus palsy patients

Shoulder stabilization is of utmost importance in upper extremity reanimation following paralysis from devastating injuries. Although secondary procedures such as tendon and muscle transfers have been used, they never achieve a functional recovery comparable to that following successful reinnervation of the supraspinatus, deltoid, teres minor, and infraspinatus muscles. Early restoration of suprascapular and axillary nerve function through timely brachial plexus reconstruction offers a good opportunity to restore shoulder-joint stability, adequate shoulder abduction, and external rotation function. Overall, in our series, 79% of patients achieved good and excellent shoulder abduction (muscle grade, +3 or more), and 55% of patients achieved good or excellent shoulder external rotation after reinnervation of the suprascapular nerve. The best results were seen when direct neurotization of the suprascapular nerve from the distal spinal accessory nerve or neurotization by the C5 root was carried out. Concomitant neurotization of the axillary nerve yields improved outcomes in shoulder abduction and external rotation function.     

健侧颈7神经根移位修复多条神经模型的建立及功能恢复动态观察

目的比较七种不同术式的健侧颈，神经根移位术后受体神经的功能以探讨颈，神经重建多组神经的可行性。方法SD大鼠105只，随机分为7组，每组15只。建立传统的健侧颈，移位经尺神经近端（单根）接正中神经或肌皮神经或桡神经（A、D、G组），健侧颈，经尺神经近端（2股，合干法）接正中、肌皮神经或正中、桡神经（B、E组），健侧颈，经尺神经及腓肠神经（分干法）接正中、肌皮神经或正中、桡神经（C、F组）。术后观察患肢功能，抓握力及梳洗动作出现时间。结果术后2个月，修复正中和肌皮神经的B、C组，均出现主动屈趾、屈肘功能。抓握力比较：合干法（B、E组）、分干法（C、F组）及传统法（A、D、G组）的差异均有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。术后3、6个月合干、分干法与传统法比较差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。梳洗试验出现时间：合干、分干法及传统法比较差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。结论颈，神经根能提供足够的神经再生纤维，可同时恢复2条神经功能。     

改良颈7神经移位术后支配肌功能恢复的实验研究

目的 观察利用C7神经同时修复2组受损神经后的功能恢复情况。方法 建立大鼠C7改良移位术（同时修复2组受损神经）动物模型，并与传统单组移位术后神经再支配肌的功能进行比较。结果 术后早期（2～6周）C7改良移位组肌肉功能劣于同时间段单组移位组，但术后8周起逐渐接近单组移位和正常对照组。结论 大鼠C7改良移位术不仅能达到传统C7单组移位术的功能恢复效果，又能同时多恢复1组受损神经的功能。