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.     

Evaluation of suprascapular nerve neurotization after nerve graft or transfer in the treatment of brachial plexus traction lesions

OBJECT: The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the restoration of shoulder function by means of suprascapular nerve neurotization in adult patients with proximal C-5 and C-6 lesions due to a severe brachial plexus traction injury. The primary goal of brachial plexus reconstructive surgery was to restore biceps muscle function and, secondarily, to reanimate shoulder function. METHODS: Suprascapular nerve neurotization was performed by grafting the C-5 nerve in 24 patients and by accessory or hypoglossal nerve transfer in 29 patients. Additional neurotization involving the axillary nerve was performed in 18 patients. Postoperative needle electromyography studies of the supraspinatus, infraspinatus, and deltoid muscles showed signs of reinnervation in most patients; however, active glenohumeral shoulder function recovery was poor. In nine (17%) of 53 patients supraspinatus muscle strength was Medical Research Council (MRC) Grade 3 or 4 and in four patients (8%) infraspinatus muscle power was MRC Grade 3 or 4. In 18 patients in whom deltoid muscle reinnervation was attempted, MRC Grade 3 or 4 function was demonstrated in two (11%). In the overall group, eight patients (15%) exhibited glenohumeral abduction with a mean of 44 +/- 17 degrees (standard deviation [SD]; median 45 degrees) and four patients (8%) exhibited glenohumeral exorotation with a mean of 48 +/- 24 degrees (SD; median 53 degrees). In only three patients (6%) were both functions regained. CONCLUSIONS: The reanimation of shoulder function in patients with proximal C-5 and C-6 brachial plexus traction injuries following suprascapular nerve neurotization is disappointingly low.     

Repair of brachial plexus lesions by end-to-side side-to-side grafting neurorrhaphy: experience based on 11 cases

Eleven brachial plexus lesions were repaired using end-to-side side-to-side grafting neurorrhaphy in root ruptures, in phrenic and spinal accessory nerve neurotizations, in contralateral C7 neurotization, and in neurotization using intact interplexus roots or cords. The main aim was to approximate donor and recipient nerves and promote regeneration through them. Another indication was to augment the recipient nerve, when it had been neurotized or grafted to donors of dubious integrity, when it was not completely denervated, when it had been neurotized to a nerve with a suboptimal number of fibers, when it had been neurotized to distant donors delaying its regeneration, and when it had been neurotized to a donor supplying many recipients. In interplexus neurotization, the main indication was to preserve the integrity of the interplexus donors, as they were not sacrificeable. The principles of end-to-side neurorrhaphy were followed. The epineurium was removed. Axonal sprouting was induced by longitudinally slitting and partially transecting the donor and recipient nerves, by increasing the contact area between both of them and the nerve grafts, and by embedding the grafts into the split predegenerated injured nerve segments. Agonistic donors were used for root ruptures and for phrenic and spinal accessory neurotization, but not for contralateral C7 or interplexus neurotization. Single-donor single-recipient neurotization was successfully followed in phrenic neurotization of the suprascapular (3 cases) and axillary (1 case) nerves, spinal accessory neurotization of the suprascapular nerve (1 case), and dorsal part of contralateral C7 neurotization of the axillary nerve (2 cases). Apart from this, recipient augmentation necessitated many donor to single-recipient neurotizations. This was successfully performed using phrenic-interplexus root to suprascapular transfers (2 cases), phrenic-contralateral C7 to suprascapular transfer (1 case), and spinal accessory-interplexus root to musculocutaneous transfer (1 case). Both recipient augmentation and increasing the contact area between grafts and recipients necessitated single or multiple donor to many recipient neurotizations. This was applied in root ruptures (3 cases), with results comparable to those obtained in classical nerve-grafting techniques. It was also applied in ventral C7 transfer to the lateral or medial cords (3 cases) with functional recovery occurring in the biceps and pronator teres muscles, but not in dorsal C7 transfer to the axillary and radial nerves (3 cases) with functional recovery occurring in the deltoid and triceps muscles, and in whole C7 transfer to C5, 6, 7, 8T1 roots with functional recovery occurring in the deltoid (M4), biceps (M4), pronator teres (M4), and triceps (M3) (3 cases), and less so in the flexor carpi ulnaris and FDP (M3) (1 case) and the extensor digitorum longus (M3) (1 case). Contralateral C7 transfer to the lateral and posterior cords (4 cases) was followed by cocontractions that took 1 year to improve and that involved the rotator cuff, deltoid, biceps, and pronator teres (all agonists). Functional recovery in the triceps muscle was less than in the above muscles. Contralateral C7 transfer to C5-7 (1 case) was followed by cocontractions that took 1 year to resolve and that occurred between the deltoid, biceps, and flexor digitorum profundus. Interplexus root neurotization was done only in conjunction with other neurotization techniques, and so its role is difficult to judge. Though the same applies to regenerated lateral cord transfer to the posterior cord (2 cases), the successful results obtained from medial cord neurotization to the axillary, musculocutaneous, and radial nerves (1 case), and from ulnar and median nerve neurotization to the radial nerve (1 case), show that neurotization at the interplexus cord level may play a role in brachial plexus regeneration and may even be used to neurotize nerves and muscles distal to the elbow. The timing of repair was within 6 months after injury, except for 2 cases. In the first case, contralateral C7 transfer was successfully performed more than 1 year after injury. The second case was an obstetric palsy operated upon at age 8. Deterioration in motor power of the donor muscles that improved in 6 months was observed in 2 cases of interplexus neurotization at the cord level, because of looping the sural nerve grafts tightly around the donor nerves. Deterioration in donor-muscle motor power as a consequence of end-to-side neurorrhaphy was noted in the obstetric palsy case, when the flexor carpi radialis (donor) became grade 3 instead of grade 4. This was associated with cocontractions between it and the extensors. It took nearly 1 year to improve.     

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.     

Surgical treatment of brachial plexus traction injuries in children,excluding obstetric palsy

Traumatic brachial plexus injuries in children, excluding birth palsy, are seldom reported. In this study, we report on 11 cases operated upon between 1995-1998, and followed for at least 30 months. All patients were males with an average age of 11 years (range, 3-16 years). The denervation time averaged 3.8 months (range, 1-8 months). Eight patients had two or more root avulsions; two had additional severe infraclavicular injuries. In total, 6 grafting and 25 extraplexal neurotization procedures were used. Donor nerves included the intercostal nerves, phrenic nerve, spinal accessory nerve, and contralateral C7 root. Elbow flexion was restored in all but 2 cases. Shoulder abduction varied from 30-90 degrees, according to the method of reconstruction. Triceps recovered in 2 cases and finger and wrist extensors in 1 case. Wrist and finger flexion was obtained in 1 case. Sensory recovery in the palm reached S2/S2+. Harvesting the phrenic nerve and the contralateral C7 root resulted in no residual morbidity. Compared to adults, children have a higher incidence of root avulsion, no deafferentiation pain, a higher incidence of associated skeletal injuries, and the same recovery rate of elbow and shoulder functions following plexus reconstruction, but recovery is faster. Given the frequency of root avulsions, neurotization is often required.     

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).     

Brachial plexus injury in Thailand: A report of 520 cases

Between October 1984 and October 1993, 520 patients with traumatic brachial plexus injuries were treated at the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok. There were 486 male and 34 female patients. Eighty-two percent of the injuries were caused by motorcycle accidents, 9% by other traffic accidents, and 9% by gunshot, stabbing, and other means. The initial physical examination revealed 332 (63.8%) complete paralyses and 88 (36.2%) incomplete paralyses. One hundred twenty-seven patients were treated conservatively, 43 patients were observed before definitive treatment was given, and 350 patients were treated by operative means. Four hundred and twenty-one surgical procedures were performed, consisting of 314 neurotisations (250 spinal accessory, 14 plexo-plexal, 21 intercostal, 21 phrenic, 4 cervical plexus, 1 long thoracic, and 3 neuromuscular), 38 neurolyses, 23 nerve grafting, 16 free muscle transfers combined with neurotisations, and 30 musculotendinous transfers. Motor functional recovery of patients followed up for more than 2 years was evaluated. Nerve grafting gave 82% good (more than MRC grade 3) and 18% fair and poor recovery. Neurolysis gave 69% good and 31% fair and poor recovery. In patients with neurotisation, the spinal accessory (to supra-scapular, axillary, and musculocutaneous), intercostal (to musculocutaneous), phrenic (to suprascapular, axillary, and musculocutaneous), and plexo-plexal methods gave a significant number of good results. © Wiley-Liss, Inc. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

Results of nerve transfer techniques for restoration of shoulder and elbow function in the context of a meta-analysis of the English literature

We report the results of 15 patients who underwent nerve transfer for restoration of shoulder and elbow function at our institution for traumatic brachial plexus palsy. We present these results in the context of a meta-analysis of the English literature, designed to quantitatively assess the efficacy of individual nerve transfers for restoration of elbow and shoulder function in a large number of patients. One thousand eighty-eight nerve transfers from 27 studies met the inclusion criteria of the analysis. Seventy-two percent of direct intercostal to musculocutaneous transfers (without interposition nerve grafts) achieved biceps strength > or =M3 versus 47% using interposition grafts. Direct intercostal transfers to the musculocutaneous nerve had a better ability to achieve > or =M4 elbow strength than transfers from the spinal accessory nerve (41% vs 29%). The suprascapular nerve fared significantly better than the axillary nerve in obtaining > or =M3 shoulder abduction (92% vs 69%). At our institution 90% of intercostal to musculocutaneous transfers (n = 10) achieved > or =M3 bicep strength and 70% achieved > or =M4 strength. Four of seven patients achieved > or =M3 shoulder abduction with a single nerve transfer and 6 of 7 regained > or =M3 strength with a dual nerve transfer. This study suggests that interposition nerve grafts should be avoided when possible when performing nerve transfers. Better results for restoration of elbow flexion have been attained with intercostal to musculocutaneous transfers than with spinal accessory nerve transfers and spinal accessory to suprascapular transfers appear to have the best outcomes for return of shoulder abduction. We conclude that nerve transfer is an effective means to restore elbow and shoulder function in brachial plexus paralysis.     

Transfer of the accessory nerve to the suprascapular nerve in brachial plexus reconstruction

PURPOSE: Transfer of the accessory nerve to the suprascapular nerve is a common procedure, performed to reestablish shoulder motion in patients with brachial plexus palsy. We propose dissecting both nerves via a distal oblique supraclavicular incision, which can be prolonged up to the scapular notch. The results of the transfer to the suprascapular nerve are compared with those of the combined repair of the suprascapular and axillary nerves. METHODS: Thirty men between the ages of 18 and 37 years with brachial plexus trauma had reparative surgery within 3 to 10 months of their injuries. In partial injuries with a normal triceps, a triceps motor branch transfer to the axillary nerve was performed. The suprascapular and accessory nerves were dissected via an oblique incision, extending from the point at which the plexus crosses the clavicle to the anterior border of the trapezius muscle. In 10 patients with fractures or dislocations of the clavicle, the trapezius muscle was partially elevated to expose the suprascapular nerve at the suprascapular notch. RESULTS: In all cases, transfer of the accessory to the suprascapular nerve was performed without the need for nerve grafts. A double lesion of the suprascapular nerve was identified in 1 patient with clavicular dislocation. In those with total palsy, the average improvement in range of abduction was 45 degrees , but none of the patients with total palsy recovered any active external rotation. Patients with upper-type injury recovered an average of 105 degrees of abduction and external rotation. If only patients with C5-C6 injuries were considered, the range of abduction and external rotation increased to 122 degrees and 118 degrees , respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Use of the accessory nerve for transfer to the suprascapular nerve ensured adequate return of shoulder function, especially when combined with a triceps motor branch transfer to the axillary nerve. The supraclavicular exposure proposed here for the suprascapular and accessory nerves is advantageous and can be extended easily to explore the suprascapular nerve at the scapular notch.     

Nerve transfer for treatment of brachial plexus injury：comparison study between the transfer of partial median and ulnar nerves and that of phrenic and spinal accessary nerves

Objective:To compare the effect of using partial median and ulnar nerves for treatment of C5-6 orC5-7 avulsion of the brachial plexus with that of using phrenic and spinal accessary nerves.Methods:The patients were divided into 2groups randomly according to different surgical procedures.Twelve cases were involved in the first group.The phrenic nerve was transferred to the musculocutaneous nerve or through a sural nerve graft,and the spinal accessary nerve was to the suprascapular nerve.Eleven cases were classified into the second group.A part of the fascicles of median nerve was transferred to be coapted with the motor fascicle of musculocutaneous nerve and a part of fascicles of ulnar nerve was transferred to the axillary nerve.The cases were followed up from 1to 3years and the clinical outcome was compared between the two groups.     

同侧颈7神经根移位治疗臂丛上千根性撕脱伤的实验研究

目的 实验性比较同侧C7神经根全根移位与其他3种方法治疗臂丛上千根性撕脱伤的疗效.方法 120只SD大鼠建立上千根性撕脱伤模型后随机等分为4组,每组30只.(1)A组:同侧C7移位至上千+副神经至肩胛上神经;(2)B组:Oberlin手术(尺神经一束移位至肱二头肌支)+副神经至肩胛上神经+桡神经肱三头肌长头支至腋神经前支;(3)C组:膈神经移位至上千前股+副神经至肩胛上神经+颈丛运动支至上千后股;(4)D组:膈神经移位至上千前股+副神经至肩胛上神经,不作腋神经修复.术后3、6和12周每组取10只大鼠作Ochiai评分、Barth足错步试验、Terzis梳头试验及神经再生指标的榆测.结果 术后3周,A组3项行为学检测指标与3个对照组差异无统计学意义(P>0.017),腋神经电生理指标均显著优于3个对照组,其余各项腋神经及三角肌组织学指标均显著优于C组和D组,但与B组比较差异无统计学意义.A组除肌皮神经再生有髓神经纤维通过率显著优于C组外,其余肌皮神经及肱二头肌的电牛理与组织学检测指标与3个对照组比较差异无统计学意义.12周时,A组各项行为学观察、几乎全部腋神经和三角肌的电生理与组织学检测以及部分肌皮神经和肱二头肌的电生理与组织学检测指标均已显著优于3个对照组.结论 同侧C7神经根移位对治疗臂丛上千根性撕脱伤的实验性疗效显著.     

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.     

Functional restoration of the paralyzed diaphragm in high cervical quadriplegia via phrenic nerve neurotization utilizing the functional spinal accessory nerve

The authors report a case of functional improvement of the paralyzed diaphragm in high cervical quadriplegia via phrenic nerve neurotization using a functional spinal accessory nerve. Complete spinal cord injury at the C-2 level was diagnosed in a 44-year-old man. Left diaphragm activity was decreased, and the right diaphragm was completely paralyzed. When the level of metabolism or activity (for example, fever, sitting, or speech) slightly increased, dyspnea occurred. The patient underwent neurotization of the right phrenic nerve with the trapezius branch of the right spinal accessory nerve at 11 months postinjury. Four weeks after surgery, training of the synchronous activities of the trapezius muscle and inspiration was conducted. Six months after surgery, motion was observed in the previously paralyzed right diaphragm. The lung function evaluation indicated improvements in vital capacity and tidal volume. This patient was able to sit in a wheelchair and conduct outdoor activities without assisted ventilation 12 months after surgery.     

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.     

膈神经端侧吻合移位治疗肌皮神经损伤的实验研究

目的 研究膈神经端侧吻合移位至肌皮神经治疗臂丛神经撕脱伤的可行性.方法 取雄性SD大鼠51只,随机分成4组:A组,单侧全臂丛神经撕脱组;B组,膈神经端端吻合组;C组,膈神经端侧吻合组;D组,膈神经螺旋状端侧吻合组(B、C、D组膈神经均移植2.0 cm腓肠神经至肌皮神经).并于术后进行肢体功能、组织学和神经电生理检测.另取绿色荧光蛋白(green fluorescent protein,GFP)转基因F344大鼠9只,通过荧光显微镜观察膈神经轴突再生情况.方果 各实验组术后手术侧肢体功能逐渐恢复,术后神经电生理和组织学检测表明,术后3个月,C、D组左侧肱二头肌肌张力恢复率和肌湿重恢复率,分别为B组的76.4%和86.3%、85.6%和87.7%,即端侧吻合组肱二头肌功能达到端端吻合组的80%以上,同时保留了膈肌的功能.荧光显微镜观察发现膈神经轴突通过端侧吻合口长入移植神经.方论 膈神经端侧吻合治疗臂丛神经损伤的手术方法是有效、可行的.     

Total obstetric brachial plexus palsy: Results and strategy of microsurgical reconstruction

From 2000 to 2006, 35 infants with total obstetric brachial plexus palsy underwent brachial plexus exploration and reconstruction. The mean age at surgery was 10.8 months (range 3–60 months), and the median age was 8 months. All infants were followed for at least 2.5 years (range 2.5–7.3 years) with an average follow‐up of 4.2 years. Assessment was performed using the Toronto Active Movement scale. Surgical procedures included neurolysis, neuroma excision and interposition nerve grafting and neurotization, using spinal accessory nerve, intercostals and contralateral C7 root. Satisfactory recovery was obtained in 37.1% of cases for shoulder abduction; 54.3% for shoulder external rotation; 75.1% for elbow flexion; 77.1% for elbow extension; 61.1% for finger flexion, 31.4% for wrist extension and 45.8% for fingers extension. Using the Raimondi score, 18 cases (53%) achieved a score of three or more (functional hand). The mean Raimondi score significantly improved postoperatively as compared to the preoperative mean: 2.73 versus 1, and showed negative significant correlation with age at surgery. In total, obstetrical brachial plexus palsy, early intervention is recommended. Intercostal neurotization is preferred for restoration of elbow flexion. Tendon transfer may be required to improve external rotation in selected cases. Apparently, intact C8 and T1 roots should be left alone if the patient has partial hand recovery, no Horner syndrome, and was operated early (3‐ or 4‐months old). Apparently, intact nonfunctioning lower roots with no response to electrical stimulation, especially in the presence of Horner syndrome, should be neurotized with the best available intraplexal donor. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. Microsurgery, 2010.     

Suprascapular nerve as a donor for extracranial facial nerve reanimation procedures: a cadaveric feasibility study

OBJECTIVES: Facial nerve injury with resultant facial muscle paralysis is disfiguring and disabling. To the authors' knowledge, neurotization of the facial nerve using a branch of the brachial plexus has not been previously performed. METHODS: In an attempt to identify an additional nerve donor candidate for facial nerve neurotization, 5 fresh adult human cadavers (10 sides) underwent dissection of the suprascapular nerve distal to the suprascapular notch where it was transected. The facial nerve was localized from the stylomastoid foramen onto the face, and the cut end of the suprascapular nerve was tunneled to this location. Measurements were made of the length and diameter of the supra-scapular nerve. In 2 of these specimens prior to transection of the nerve, a nerve-splitting technique was used. RESULTS: All specimens were found to have a suprascapular nerve with enough length to be tunneled, tension free, superiorly to the extracranial facial nerve. Connections remained tensionless with left and right head rotation of up to 45 degrees . The mean length of this part of the suprascapular nerve was 12.5 cm (range 11.5-14 cm). The mean diameter of this nerve was 3 mm. A nerve-splitting technique was also easily performed. No gross evidence of injury to surrounding neurovascular structures was identified. CONCLUSIONS: To the authors' knowledge, the suprascapular nerve has not been previously explored as a donor nerve for facial nerve reanimation procedures. Based on the results of this cadaveric study, the authors believe that use of the suprascapular nerve may be considered for surgical maneuvers.