应用神经束内电极检测人体残肢神经信息

目的 应用自制神经束内电极建立获取残肢神经信息源方法，探索神经信号支配运动机制。方法 用显微外科技术将外部绝缘的直径60μm的95％铂5％铱合金丝直接插入残肢上臂三大神经一神经束中作为记录电极。远端连接肌电图仪，患者在清醒状态下用脑意识幻想患侧已失去手各组动作，记录电信号。结果 当患者用脑意识控制幻想患肢动作时，肌电图仪可同步显示实时神经信息电信号。结论 神经束内电极可稳定获取外周神经电信号提供更多的信息源。     

伸腕、伸指和伸拇功能重建的手术图解

因桡神经不可逆损伤,造成伸腕、伸指、伸拇和拇指桡侧外展功能丧失,可用正中神经和尺神经支配的前臂屈肌移位重建其功能。修复的方式较多,至今在临床上被公认为是标准的、疗效最好的肌腱移位术,是1960年Boyes提出的肌腱移位组合方式:即用旋前圆肌移位修复桡侧腕长短伸肌,尺侧腕屈肌移位修复指总伸肌,掌长肌移位修复拇长伸肌的方式。1 适应证用正中神经、尺神经支配的前臂屈肌移位,修复伸腕、伸指和伸拇功能,主要用于桡神经不可逆     

尺侧腕伸肌内神经血管分布的应用解剖

目的观察尺侧腕伸肌内神经血管解剖分布，探讨该肌肉能否被分割为若干个功能单位，以提供新的功能性骨骼肌游离移植供区。方法解剖10具10％甲醛固定的成人尸体共20侧尺侧腕伸肌，观察其肌外神经血管的分布形式。10具新鲜成人尸体标本共20侧尺侧腕伸肌，一侧的尺侧腕伸肌完整剥离后用Sihler染色法行肌内神经的染色，另一侧尺侧腕伸肌用30％硫酸钡、乳胶混悬液血管灌注并行X线钼靶摄片。而后对照观察神经、血管在肌内分布及其关系。结果尺侧腕伸肌血供多为骨间后动脉和骨间返动脉肌支。其神经支配来自骨间后神经发出的神经支。其肌内神经分布呈现3种不同的类型，肌支在进入肌肉前多有动脉伴行，构成神经血管束。其伴行动脉分支和神经分支在肌内的分布区域大致吻合。结论根据尺侧腕伸肌内神经血管在肌内分布的不同情况，可将其分为不同的功能单位，供节段性游离肌肉移植：     

尺侧腕屈肌肌电检测对尺神经卡压征定位的意义

为揭示尺神经在不同部位卡压与尺侧腕屈肌功能受损之间的关系，对５０例尺侧腕屈肌及其神经支配做了解剖学研究。尺侧腕屈肌上部的中１／３为肌电检测的最佳部位，此处肌平均宽度２９．７±２．２ｍｍ，厚度８．２±１．１ｍｍ。尺侧腕屈肌支在臂部和前臂上部由尺神经发出，其纤维均穿经时管后入肌。除时管综合征以外，胸廓出口综合征和腕尺管综合征均不会损害尺侧腕屈肌功能。为临床对该卡压征的定位诊断提供了应用要点。     

健侧颈7移位术后的远期功能随访

目的 随访全臂丛根性撕脱伤患者行健侧颈，移位术后远期功能恢复的情况，及该术式对健侧肢体的影响。方法 对28例行健侧颈，移位术的全臂丛损伤患者进行远期随访。其中健侧颈7移位于正中神经20例（一期手术2例，二期手术18例），桡神经3例，肌皮神经2例，同时移位于正中神经和桡神经2例，同时移位于正中神经和肌皮神经1例。随访内容：了解患肢受体神经所支配肌肉的肌力及其支配区域皮肤感觉恢复、电生理表现、双侧肢体协同活动和颈，神经根切断后对健侧肢体功能影响等情况。结果 术后28例患者远期随访发现，健侧肢体功能均无障碍。1．健侧颈7移位于正中神经：屈腕、指肌群电生理呈单纯相或单纯混合相10例（10／20），屈腕肌肌力达M3或以上者12例（12／20），屈指肌肌力达M1或以上者9例（9／20）；感觉恢复达S3或以上者10例（10／20）。2．健侧颈7移位于肌皮神经：屈肘肌群电生理呈单纯相或单纯混合相2例（2／2），屈肘肌肌力均达M3以上；前臂外侧皮肤感觉达S3或以上者l例（1／2）。3．健侧颈7移位于桡神经：伸腕、指肌群电生理呈单纯相或单纯混合相1例（1／3），伸腕肌力达M3或以上者2例（2／3），伸指肌力达M3或以上者1例（1／3）；感觉恢复达S3或以上者2例（2／3）。4．同时移位于正中神经和桡神经：屈腕肌肌力达M3或以上者2例（2／2），屈指肌肌力达M3或以上者1例（1／2）；正中神经支配区感觉均为S2。而桡神经支配区伸腕、指肌力仅为M2和‰，感觉均为S1。5．同时移位于正中神经和肌皮神经1例，其电生理均呈单纯相，屈腕肌和肱二头肌肌力均已达M3。28例中能自主活动患肢者仅为6例（6／28），22例需靠健侧肢体带动以活动患肢。结论 健侧颈，移位术是治疗全臂丛根性撕脱伤的理想术式，分期手术效果更好。如需同时修复2根神经，则应选择相互无拮抗作用的受体神经。     

腕关节神经支配的解剖学研究

目的观察支配腕关节神经的来源、直径、数目及其行径;为去神经支配治疗腕关节疼痛提供解剖学资料。方法对10具20侧福马林固定的上肢标本,在手术显微镜下解剖并观察骨间后神经、前臂外侧皮神经、桡神经浅支、尺神经腕背支支配腕关节背侧的腕关节支;骨间前神经、正中神经掌皮支、尺神经深支及其主干支配腕关节掌侧的关节支。结果骨间后神经是支配腕关节背侧神经的主要来源;前臂外侧皮神经、桡神经浅支、尺神经腕背支也发支支配腕关节背侧。骨间前神经、正中神经掌皮支、尺神经深支发支参与支配腕关节的掌侧。结论用去神经支配的方法治疗腕关节顽固性疼痛主要适用于腕背侧的疼痛。     

健侧颈7神经根移位同时修复两条神经的初步临床疗效

目的探讨用健侧颈，神经根移位同时修复2条上肢神经的临床效果。方法设计2种移位修复的方法。(1)合干法：健侧颈，前后股→尺神经→尺神经近端分2股分别和正中神经、桡神经(或肌皮神经)缝合，共5例。(2)分干法：健侧颈前后股→尺神经、腓肠神经→正中神经、桡神经(或肌皮神经)，共3例。结果合干法4例术后随访12～19个月，1例尚在随访中。正中神经运动：2例已恢复屈腕、屈指，肌力M3。2例屈腕肌力为M1。正中神经感觉：3例为S2，1例为S0。桡神经运动：2例伸腕、伸指肌力为M2。1例伸肘肌力为M2，1例伸腕肌力为M1。桡神经感觉：1例为S2，1例为S1，2例为S0。分干法1例术后随访15个月，已恢复屈腕、屈指，肌力为M3。正中神经感觉为是。肌皮神经：屈肘肌力为M3。另2例术后时间短尚在随访中。结论健侧颈，神经根移位同时修复上肢2条主要神经的新术式，初步应用结果证实是可行的、有效的。     

神经电生理检查对神经根型颈椎病与肘管综合征的鉴别诊断价值

目的：探讨神经电生理检查对神经根型颈椎病与肘管综合征的鉴别诊断价值。方法：对14例以手部内在肌萎缩为主要临床表现的患者进行双上肢体感诱发电位（somatosensory evoked potential，SEP）、双侧正中神经和尺神经传导速度（nerve conduction velocity，NCV）、双侧第一背侧骨间肌和尺侧腕屈肌肌电罔（electromyogram，EMG）检查。结果：3例以尺神经肘上-肘下段传导速度减慢大于10m／s及第一背侧骨间肌神经源性损害为主，诊断为肘管综合征；4例以SEP颈髓至外周电位（N9-N13）峰间潜伏期延长和尺侧腕屈肌、第一背侧骨间肌神经源性损害为主，诊断为神经根型颈椎病；7例为尺侧腕屈肌及第一背侧骨间肌神经源性损害、尺神经肘上-肘下段传导速度减慢大于10m／s、SEPN9-N13峰间潜伏期延长，诊断为二者合并存在。手术治疗10例，术中所见均与神经电生理检查结果相符。结论：神经电生理检查在神经根型颈椎病与肘管综合征的鉴别诊断中具有重要提示意义。     

部分束支移位治疗臂丛神经根性损伤神经截取限度的实验研究

目的 研究不同程度切断大鼠尺神经主干近段对肢体功能的影响，以判断截取神经的限度。方法 对120只Wistar大鼠在上臂肌皮神经人肌水平不同程度切断尺神经（分别切断1／6，1／3，1／2，2／3及全部），术后6～8周观察大鼠的行为变化，尺神经电生理变化，尺侧腕屈肌及小指展肌的肌湿重比及肌细胞超微结构的改变。结果 尺神经切断少于1／3，在较短时间内可以获得满意的功能恢复；切断1／3～1／2，恢复较慢，有不可逆损伤表现；切断2／3以上会产生严重的不可逆损伤表现。结论 上臂尺神经切取少于1／3比较安全，切取1／2虽有一定程度的功能恢复但仍有较严重的不可逆功能障碍，临床上应谨慎。     

尺侧腕伸肌-拇短仲肌腱移位重建拇指对掌功能临床疗效分析

目的评价尺侧腕伸肌及拇短伸肌移位重建拇指对掌功能的临床疗效。方法回顾分析2003年以来，接受尺侧腕伸肌及拇短伸肌移位术重建拇指对掌功能的15例腕部正中神经不可逆损伤患者和5例正中神经合并尺神经损伤患者的随访结果。结果15例单纯正中神经不可逆损伤中，优11例，良4例，优良率100％；合并尺神经损伤的5例中，优3例，良1例，可1例，优良率80％。结论对腕部正中神经不可逆损伤，特别是合并尺神经损伤患者，尺侧腕伸肌及拇短伸肌移位术是一种理想的重建拇指对掌功能的手术方法，操作简单，效果好。     

Residual motor signal in long-term human severed peripheral nerves and feasibility of neural signal-controlled artificial limb

PURPOSE: The residual motor pathways after amputation have not been fully elucidated. We sampled potentials from peripheral nerve stumps with intrafascicular electrodes to study residual motor transmission and explore the feasibility of nerve signal-controlled artificial limbs. METHODS: Six intrafascicular electrodes were inserted into the ulnar, radial, and median nerves in the stump of an amputee. An electrode was placed outside the fascicle as a reference. Potentials from 4 of the 6 electrodes per trial were monitored using a 4-channel electromyogram machine, and 32 groups of electrophysiologic tests were conducted under volitional control. Actions included finger extension and flexion, forearm pronation and supination, and wrist extension and flexion. Each action was carried out with light, intermediate, and full efforts. Then, 2 of 6 electrodes randomly chosen per trial were interfaced to a nerve signal-controlled artificial limb. Finger extension and flexion of the prosthesis were tested under volitional control. RESULTS: The volitional motor nerve potentials uniquely associated with the missing limb were recorded successfully with intrafascicular electrodes. The signal amplitude from the radial nerve was 5.5 microV +/- 0.8 (mean +/- SD), which was greater than the amplitudes from the ulnar (2.5 microV +/- 0.4) and median (2.2 microV +/- 0.3) nerves. Under volitional control of the subject, finger extension of the artificial limb was triggered by the radial nerve signal, but the remaining actions were unsuccessful. CONCLUSIONS: The long-term amputee was able to generate motor neuron activity related to phantom limb movement. Intrafascicular electrodes can be used to monitor residual motor nerve activity in the stump, and the amplitude may predict successful control of artificial limbs.     

Autogenous nerve pedicle graft in the forearm

We report our experience during a 15-year period with three patients who had severe segmental loss of more than 10 cm of both the median and ulnar nerves in the arm and forearm. The procedure was described by St. Clair Strange and by Silverstone in 1947. A modification of the procedure was used in our three patients. In two patients, the proximal stumps of the median and ulnar nerves were sutured together in the proximal forearm. The ulnar nerve was transected high in the axilla, leaving its blood supply intact. Several months later the ulnar nerve was transposed distally, and a juncture with the distal median nerve was created. The third patient had a significant segmental loss in the arm of both the median and ulnar nerves. The distal stumps of the median and ulnar nerves were sutured together, and at a later stage the ulnar nerve was transposed proximally and sutured to the median nerve in the axilla. In all three patients, an advancing Tinel sign was observed. Subjectively, all three patients believed there was a definite improvement in sensibility. Objective testing was, however, less convincing. This operation has limited applicability but definitely has a place in situations where direct sutures or nerve grafting are impossible.     

Median and ulnar antidromic sensory studies to the fourth digit

The literature documents multiple reports of neurological injury resulting from both the implantation and the removal of orthopedic devices. These injuries can be easily and objectively evaluated with nerve conduction studies. This study was undertaken to derive a normative database for median and ulnar sensory conduction studies to the fourth digit. Testing was done utilizing a 14-cm antidromic technique on 192 asymptomatic subjects with no risk factors for neuropathy. The subjects were studied bilaterally. Onset latency, peak latency, onset-to-peak amplitude, peak-to-peak amplitude, rise time, and duration were recorded. Increasing age and body mass index were associated with decreasing amplitudes and area. No other demographic factors correlated with differences in waveform measurements. Mean onset latency was 2.7 +/- 0.3 ms for the median nerve and 2.6 +/- 0.2 for the ulnar nerve. Mean peak latency was 3.4 +/- 0.3 ms for the median nerve and 3.3 +/- 0.3 ms for the ulnar nerve. Mean onset-to-peak amplitude was 21 +/- 12 muV for the median nerve and 23 +/- 12muV for the ulnar nerve. Mean peak-to-peak amplitude was 34 +/- 20 muV for the median nerve and 36 +/- 23 muV for the ulnar nerve. Mean area was 25 +/- 17 nVs for the median nerve and 28 +/- 19 nVs for the ulnar nerve. Mean rise time was 0.7 +/- 0.1 ms for the median nerve and 0.7 +/- 0.2 ms for the ulnar nerve. Mean duration was 1.9 +/- 0.4 ms for the median nerve and 1.9 +/- 0.5 ms for the ulnar nerve. The mean difference in onset and peak latency between the median and ulnar nerves (median minus ulnar) was 0.1 +/- 0.2 ms. The upper limit of normal difference of median greater than ulnar onset and peak latency was 0.5 ms. The upper limit of normal difference of ulnar greater than median onset latency was 0.2 ms (0.3 ms for peak latency). The upper limit of normal drop in median peak-to-peak amplitude from one side to the other was 56%. For the ulnar nerve this value was 73%.     

A comparison of stimulation patterns in axillary block: part 2

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Radial plus musculocutaneous nerve stimulation may have a predominant role in the success of an axillary block, producing more extensive anesthesia of the upper limb than median plus musculocutaneous nerve stimulation. However, no comparison has been made with ulnar plus musculocutaneous nerve stimulation. We compared the extent of both sensory and motor block after ulnar plus musculocutaneous nerve stimulation or radial plus musculocutaneous nerve stimulation. METHODS: Sixty patients were randomly assigned to receive an axillary block using either radial plus musculocutaneous or ulnar plus musculocutaneous nerve stimulation with 40 mL plain 1.5% mepivacaine. Patients were assessed for sensory block by the pinprick method at 5 and 20 minutes. RESULTS: No statistically significant differences were found in the rates of anesthesia at 20 minutes in the cutaneous nerve distributions of the upper limb between radial plus musculocutaneous and ulnar plus musculocutaneous nerve stimulation except for the following nerves: radial (90% and 63.3%, respectively), medial cutaneous of the forearm (83.3% and 100%, respectively), and medial cutaneous of the arm (73.3% and 93.3%, respectively). Global sensory score (minimum: 0; maximum: 12 points) at 20 minutes was significantly higher after radial plus musculocutaneous than after ulnar plus musculocutaneous nerve stimulation: 12 (11-13) and 11 (10-12), respectively. The rates of median nerve blockade were 50% and 53%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Radial plus musculocutaneous nerve stimulation produced more extensive anesthesia of the upper limb than did ulnar plus musculocutaneous nerve stimulation. However, there is not an optimal combination of 2 responses in axillary brachial plexus block.     

Ultrasonographic findings of the axillary part of the brachial plexus

In this prospective study we sought to determine anatomic variations of the main brachial plexus nerves in the axilla and upper arm via high-resolution ultrasonography (US) examination. Positions of nerves were studied via US in three sectional levels of the upper arm in 69 healthy volunteers (31 men and 38 women, median age 28 yr). Analysis was done by subdividing the US picture into eight pie-chart sectors and matching sectors for the position of the ulnar, radial, and median nerves. Shortly after the nerves pass the pectoralis minor muscle, they begin to diverge. At the middle level 9%-13%, and at the distal level, 30%-81% of the nerves are not seen together with the artery in the US picture. At the usual level of axillary block approach, we found the ulnar nerve in the posterior medial position in 59% of the volunteers. The other two nerves had two peaks in distribution: the radial nerve in posterior lateral (38%) and anterior lateral (20%) position, and the median nerve in anterior medial (30%) and posterior medial (26%) position. Applying light pressure distally can displace nerves to the side, especially when they are positioned anterior to the axillary artery. We conclude that an axillary block should be attempted as proximal as possible to the axilla. IMPLICATIONS: This prospective ultrasonography study demonstrates significant anatomic variations of the main brachial plexus nerves in the axilla and upper arm, which may increase the difficulty in identifying neural structures. Applying light pressure on the plexus can move nerves to the side, especially when they are positioned anterior to the axillary artery.     

Use of muscle-vein-combined Y-chambers for repair of multiple nerve lesions: experimental results

Y-shaped vein conduits enriched with fresh skeletal muscle fibers were used to bridge a concomitant ulnar and median nerve transection with substance loss in rats. The proximal limb of the Y-chamber was sutured to the proximal ulnar nerve, while the two distal limbs were sutured to ulnar and median distal nerve stumps. Eight months after surgery, median nerve functional recovery was evaluated by means of the grasping test, and nerve fiber regeneration in both repaired nerves was assessed by means of design-based histomorphometry. Results showed that nerve fibers regenerated along both severed nerve trunks, and in the median nerve led to a recovery corresponding to 58% of normal nerve function. Quantitative analysis showed no significant morphological differences between myelinated nerve fibers regenerated along the two distal nerves except for the number of fibers, which was higher in the median nerve. Notably, the total number of regenerated nerve fibers in the two distal nerves was 4-fold the normal fiber number in the ulnar nerve. Besides their interest in relation to the long-lasting debate about the topographic specificity of nerve regeneration, the results of this study show an effective way to repair, in the rat experimental model, two transected nerve trunks innervating agonistic muscles in the case that the proximal stump of only one nerve is preserved.     

Vascularized ulnar nerve graft

The purpose of this article is to describe the indications, anatomy, and harvesting technique of vascularized ulnar nerve graft based on the superior ulnar collateral artery (SUCA) for reconstruction of upper extremity function. The ulnar nerve has an extrinsic blood supply consisting of multiple dominant systems: the SUCA, the inferior ulnar collateral artery, the posterior ulnar recurrent artery, and the ulnar artery. The entire length of the ulnar nerve can survive based on the SUCA and its venae comitantes. The vascularized ulnar nerve graft is used when there is a hopeless prognosis for ulnar nerve repair. This technique may be selected if there is a definite evidence of preganglionic injuries of the C8 and T1 roots in brachial plexus injuries. This technique can be recommended for reconstruction of a large defect of the median or radial nerves in selected cases, such as upper arm replantation.     

Ulnar nerve repair by end-to-side neurorrhaphy on the median nerve with interposition of a vein: an experimental study

Our study used a rat animal model to verify that Schwann cell migration, collateral axonal sprouting, and regeneration were not hindered by interposition of a 10-mm vein segment between the distal stump of the transected ulnar nerve and the donor median nerve in end-to-side reconstruction. Reconstructed nerves were withdrawn at 7, 14, 30, and 60 days after surgery, then analyzed by confocal laser microscopy after immunolabeling with anti-neurofilament-200 kD (an axonal marker) and anti-S100 (a glial marker) antibodies. Results are reported at 7, 14, 30, and 60 days after surgery. Our observations indicate that chemotactic factors that stimulate end-to-side nerve regeneration can exert their action at this distance. These findings suggest a possible clinical application for this surgical technique in cases when the severed nerve stump is far from the potential donor nerve.     

Outcome and treatment of electrical injury with immediate median and ulnar nerve palsy at the wrist: a retrospective review and a survey of members of the American Burn Association

Electrical injury to the upper extremity with immediate median and ulnar nerve palsy at the wrist is uncommon but devastating. When it does occur, the immediate clinical questions are (1) will the nerves recover, and (2) should the carpal tunnel and Guyon's canal be released? Our review of the literature did not answer these two questions. Therefore, we reviewed our experience with such patients and surveyed approximately 10% of the physician members of the American Burn Association. We reviewed approximately 80 patients with electrical injuries treated between January 1983 and September 1988, and found 5 patients (8 extremities) who did not require amputation and who manifested immediate palsy of the median and ulnar nerves at the wrist. The questionnaire was returned by 83% of those contacted. We concluded that such nerve palsies can recover to a significant degree and that a majority of surgeons would release the carpal tunnel and Guyon's canal, expecting improved recovery. Although it is still not proven whether decompression is beneficial, we will continue to decompress the carpal tunnel and Guyon's canal in such circumstances.     

Immediate amputation stump coverage with forearm free flaps from the same limb

When the traumatic amputation level or the degree of damage to the arm or forearm does not justify reimplantation of the severed part there may be sufficient undamaged skin to be used as a free flap to resurface the arm or the stump. Stump length or the elbow joint may thus be preserved and more durable skin cover for the fitting of a prosthesis may be obtained. A "spare-parts" forearm free flap may be raised on the radial or ulnar vessels or both. Three cases are reported.