膈神经移位治疗臂丛损伤的临床应用和早期疗效

目的探讨膈神经移位至肌皮神经重建屈肘功能的临床应用及早期疗效。方法对8例臂丛根性撕脱伤行膈神经移位术，膈神经与上干前股的肌皮神经束直接吻合5例，膈神经通过神经移植桥接至肌皮神经3例，术后随访评定其屈肘功能。结果8例经10月-2年随访，肱二头肌肌力在2级以上5例，有效率62．5％。结论膈神经移位术是治疗臂丛根性撕脱伤的理想术式，重视术前和术中膈神经功能的评估、神经移位时吻合方法的合理选择和术后综合康复锻炼是提高手术疗效关键。     

胸内侧神经移位吻接肌皮神经重建屈肘功能

臂丛神经颈５．６根性或上干撕脱伤无法修复时，常用隔神经、肋间神经、胸背神经等移位吻接肌皮神经以恢复屈肘功能。为寻找新的术式以供选择，通过解剖研究和临床应用４例，发现胸内侧神经与肌皮神经相距较近，可无张力直接缝合；胸内侧神经有３～４分支，移位时保留１个分支，术后胸大肌胸肋头肌力可恢复到２～３级。本术式为臂丛根部撕脱伤后，重建屈肘功能的一个较好的神经修复方法．     

创伤性全臂丛撕脱伤上肢整体功能重建的临床研究

 目的 观察采用多组神经移位术结合后期手功能重建恢复全臂丛神经撕脱伤患者主动拾物功能的疗效。方法 33例全臂丛神经撕脱伤患者,一期手术均采用多组神经移位术,即副神经移位修复肩胛上神经恢复肩外展,健侧C7神经经椎体前通路移位与患侧下干直接吻合重建屈指、屈腕功能,同时将下干发出的前臂内侧皮神经移位修复肌皮神经恢复屈肘功能,膈神经与下干后股直接吻合同时重建伸肘、伸指功能。术后选择肌力获得有效恢复(肩外展恢复到30°或以上, 伸肘、伸指肌力达到3级或以上,屈肘、屈腕、屈指肌力达到4级或以上)的患者进行二期手功能重建恢复患手的主动抓握功能。主要包括腕关节固定术、拇外展功能重建及掌板紧缩术等。结果 一期神经移位术后平均41±7.7(36~73)个月。10例患者的肌力恢复达到二期手功能重建的条件,其中8例已进行二期手功能重建。6例患者恢复了部分主动拾物功能,1例因爪形指纠正失败,另1例因腕融合术后伸指肌腱粘连致伸指功能丧失。结论 新设计的多组神经移位术可同时恢复全臂丛撕脱伤患者的肩外展、屈肘、屈腕、屈指及伸肘、伸指的有效肌力,在此基础上通过后期手功能重建,可成功重建患侧上肢的部分主动拾物功能。     

健侧C7神经移位修复臂丛神经根干部损伤的改良术式

目的 证实移植神经经胸锁乳突肌下方通道的改良术式修复臂丛神经根干部损伤的可行性和优点。方法 2001年2月至2002年12月，对10例臂丛神经根干部损伤患者行健侧C7神经移位于思侧臂丛上干或下干。术中发现两神经断端间距为5．5cm～10cm，平均7．8cm。采用桡浅神经、腓肠神经、前臂外侧皮神经及前臂内侧皮神经等为移植神经，桥接健侧C7神经和患侧受神经。将移植神经经胸锁乳突肌下方通道为该术式的改良处。结果 3例患者术后随访时间较短未统计在内。7例患者术后随访6～15个月，6例修复上干者，其中2例的屈肘肌力为M3、肩外展肌力M2，2例屈肘、肩外展肌力M1-2,2例腋神经、肌皮神经肌电图有运动动作电位出现。1例修复下干者，刺痛觉恢复至腕部，正中、尺神经肌电图示有运动动作电位出现。结论 健侧C7神经移位术中移植神经经胸锁乳突肌下方通道是可行的。其优点是缩短移植神经的长度和充分利用健侧C7的神经动力源。     

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。     

神经干移位和束组移位术治疗臂丛神经上千损伤的疗效对比

目的:探讨臂丛神经上干损伤后应用神经干移位及神经束组移位术的疗效对比.方法:将20例单纯臂丛神经上千损伤患者分成A、B两组,每组10例.患侧肩均不能外展、外旋、上举;屈肘不能;耸肩及伸肘肌力≥4级.肌电图检查:副神经、膈神经及尺神经功能正常;正中神经轻度受损.患者于伤后3-11个月入院治疗.A组于全麻下行副神经到肩胛上神经、膈神经到肌皮神经、肋间神经到腋神经移位术;13组于全麻下行副神经到肩胛上神经、尺神经束支或正中神经束支到肌皮神经、正中神经束支或尺神经束支到腋神经移位术.结果:术后伤口均Ⅰ期愈合,其中B组2例患者出现手部尺神经轻度损伤症状,2例患者出现正中神经轻度损伤症状,经对症治疗后消失.其余患者未出现与供区神经受损的症状.两组患者均获得随访,分别于术后3、6、9、12个月行肌电图检查,经统计学分析,B组神经传导速度优于A组(P＜0.05).A组患者术后5～6个月出现肩外展及屈肘动作,肌电图可记录到受区肌肉新生电位;术后8～9个月,患者肩外展30～65°,屈肘90～120°,肌力3～4级.B组患者术后3～4个月出现肩外展及屈肘动作,肌电图可记录到受区肌肉新生电位;术后7～8个月,患者肩外展30～65°,屈肘90～120°,肌力3～4级.结论:应用功能相近的供体神经行神经束组移位修复受损的神经具有供区损失小、恢复时间快、功能恢复佳等优点,其效果优于神经干直接修复.     

全臂丛神经根性撕脱伤28例治疗分析

目的　介绍全臂丛神经根性撕脱伤的手术方法及远期疗效。方法　 1 994年至 2 0 0 1年 ,对2 8例全臂丛神经根性撕脱伤患者行多组神经移位术 ,即膈神经→肌皮神经 ,肋间神经→正中神经 ,副神经→腋神经 ,健侧C7经尺神经桥接移位至桡神经。结果　术后随访 1年半～ 5年 ,平均 2年半。 2 0例的肩外展在 30°以上 ,1 9例的屈肘在 70°以上 ,1 1例的伸肘可达 1 80°,1 6例的伸腕为 40°,1 1例的伸指可达 1 80°,1 4例的屈腕为 60°,1 0例的手指屈曲能达掌纹 ,1 3例的前臂旋前功能有所恢复。其余病例的自主运动功能均未恢复。总有效率为 75%。结论　多组神经移位治疗全臂丛神经根性撕脱伤对肩、肘、腕关节的功能恢复有确切的疗效     

膈神经不同部位移位恢复屈肘功能的实验研究

神经移位术是目前治疗臂丛神经根性撕脱伤的主要方法 ,膈神经作为最佳的移位神经 ,常用来移位至肌皮神经恢复屈肘功能 [1 ,2 ] 。传统方法是将膈神经通过一段腓肠神经与肌皮神经缝合。由于肌皮神经纤维主要来自臂丛上干前股 ,也可将膈神经在锁骨上直接与上干前股缝合。两者各有优缺点 ,其疗效评价尚无结论 ,为此我们设计了上述两种术式的动物实验 ,进行比较研究 ,为临床选择提供实验依据。材料和方法一、实验分组 :选成年雄性 SD大白鼠 6 0只 ,体重 2 5 0～2 80 g,随机分成 1、3、6个月 3组。每组再随机分为肌皮神经组(A组 )和上干前股组 …     

背阔肌功能恢复后再移位重建屈肘屈指功能

[目的]探讨利用经神经移位修复胸背神经而恢复的背阔肌作为动力肌再移位重建屈肘、屈指功能的疗效。[方法]2000年3月~2003年6月,共有全臂丛根性撕脱伤患者经多组神经移位术后屈肘功能无恢复而背阔肌恢复良好者5例,屈指功能无恢复,背阔肌功能良好者3例,均采用恢复的背阔肌再移位重建屈肘、屈指功能。[结果]术后随访1 a~3 a 6个月,移位背阔肌皮瓣全部成活,肘关节活动度为伸肘10°~25,°屈肘100°以上,肌力达Ⅲ~Ⅳ级。手指可抓握,各指屈距掌纹2 cm左右,肌力达Ⅲ级。[结论]利用经神经移位恢复的背阔肌作为动力肌再移位重建屈肘、屈指功能疗效可靠,因此在治疗全臂丛根性撕脱伤患者时应常规修复胸背神经以恢复背阔肌功能。     

全长膈神经移位重建屈指功能的临床报告

目的 探讨在胸腔镜视下切取全长膈神经直接移位至正中神经内侧头重建全臂丛撕脱伤后屈指功能的可行性,为全臂丛根性撕脱伤后屈指功能的恢复提供新思路.方法 对3例全臂丛根性撕脱伤的患者,采用胸腔镜视下游离胸腔内的全长膈神经,于入膈肌处切断膈神经,将全长膈神经直接移位于正中神经内侧头,术后每3个月随访肺功能和临床功能恢复情况.结果 3例患者随访时间均超过3年,拇长屈肌及2～5指指浅屈肌肌力均恢复至3～4级,掌长肌肌力2例为2级,1例为1级;桡侧腕屈肌、旋前圆肌、鱼际肌肌力为0级.肺功能显示患者在术后6个月内有不同程度的肺功能降低,但在1年内都恢复到术前水平.结论 胸腔镜视下切取全长膈神经直接移位至正中神经内侧头重建全臂丛撕脱伤后的屈指功能是一种可行的新术式.     

Patient outcome following a thoracodorsal to musculocutaneous nerve transfer for reconstruction of elbow flexion.

This study reports patient outcome following a thoracodorsal to musculocutaneous nerve transfer. We retrospectively reviewed the charts of six patients who had undergone transfer of the thoracodorsal nerve to the musculocutaneous nerve for reconstruction of elbow flexion. The mean age was 47 years (standard deviation: 24 years; range: 17-72 years). The mean time from injury to surgery was 3 months (standard deviation: 2 months; range: 1-5 months). In all cases, the biceps muscle was successfully reinnervated; in one case the Medical Research Council (MRC) muscle grade was grade 5, in four cases it was grade 4, and in one case it was grade 2. No patients complained of functional weakness with shoulder adduction and/or internal rotation. In the majority of cases, transfer of the thoracodorsal nerve to the musculocutaneous nerve provides excellent recovery of elbow flexion.     

Direct nerve crossing with the intercostal nerve to treat avulsion injuries of the brachial plexus

One hundred seventy-nine patients with root avulsion brachial plexus injuries were treated with direct nerve crossing with the intercostal nerve and 159 cases were followed more than 1 1/2 years after the operation. When suture was done to the musculocutaneous nerve, 90% of 10 children who had operation within 7 months of injury and 81.8% of 110 adults, younger than 40 years with operation within 6 months of injury regained grade 3 or 4 elbow flexion power. This direct method seems to produce better results than those of nerve crossing, which uses intermediary nerve grafts.     

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).     

臂丛下干损伤不同修复术式的疗效比较

目的评价臂丛神经下干损伤不同修复术式的疗效。方法研究并比较26例臂丛神经下干损伤患者用3种不同神经移位修复正中神经后的疗效。A组:肌皮神经肱肌支移位(6例),B组:健侧C7移位(10例),C组:肋间神经移位(10例)。术后平均随访15个月,观察正中神经功能恢复情况,并测定其握力、肌力和正中神经的运动神经传导速度(MNCV)和复合肌肉动作电位(CMAP)的潜伏期和波幅。结果A组5例能完成屈指动作,1例仅随访6个月屈指动作尚未恢复。B组5例能完成屈指动作,5例不能。C组6例能完成屈指动作,4例不能。术后3、6、12个月的握力和肌力,A组与B、C组相比差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05);B、C组相比差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。术后3、6、12个月,A组正中神经CMAP的潜伏期较B、C组增快、波幅增高(P<0.05);正中神经的MNCV快于B、C组(P<0.05),B、C组相比差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论肌皮神经肱肌支移位,由于神经再生至正中神经支配靶肌肉的距离比健侧C7和肋间神经短,故其屈指功能的恢复明显好于B、C组。     

Brachial plexus palsy in adults with radicular lesions, general concepts, diagnostic approach and results

In post-traumatic brachial plexus lesions in adults, early repair will necessitate a variety of nerve grafting and nerve transfer procedures. In complete palsies, a graft is performed from a radicular stump, using intercostal nerve transfers, partial cross C7 transfer, and the distal spinal accessory nerve. This will provide elbow flexion and extension in 75% of cases, and shoulder abduction or rotation in 50% of cases. In the upper type palsies, ulnar-biceps transfer is the standard procedure. Grafting from a ruptured cervical root, when available, is performed to reanimate the shoulder. In C5 C6 and C7 palsies, extension of the wrist and fingers is provided by tendon transfers. In chronic palsies, elbow flexion and extension loss is treated by means of free muscle transfers, (latissimus dorsi or gracilis) combined with nerve transfers (intercostals or spinal accessory). Secondary procedures are routinely necessary following recovery of elbow flexion. For the shoulder-humeral shaft osteotomy or fusion, for the hand-cosmetic fusion of the wrist and distal radio-ulnar joint in the prone position, or palliative treatment in case of partial recovery. For such weak "plexic hands", we have developed a specific hierarchical functional scale, useful for surgical decisions.     

Nerve transfers to the biceps and brachialis branches to improve elbow flexion strength after brachial plexus injuries

OBJECT: In this study the authors evaluated the outcome in patients with brachial plexus injuries who underwent nerve transfers to the biceps and the brachialis branches of the musculocutaneous nerve. METHODS: The charts of eight patients who underwent an ulnar nerve fascicle transfer to the biceps branch of the musculocutaneous nerve and a separate transfer to the brachialis branch were retrospectively reviewed. Outcome was assessed using the Medical Research Council (MRC) grade to classify elbow flexion strength in conjunction with electromyography (EMG). The mean patient age was 26.4 years (range 16-45 years) and the mean time from injury to surgery was 3.8 months (range 2.5-7.5 months). Recovery of elbow flexion was MRC Grade 4 in five patients, and Grade 4+ in three. Reinnervation of both the biceps and brachialis muscles was confirmed on EMG studies. Ulnar nerve function was not downgraded in any patient. CONCLUSIONS: The use of nerve transfers to reinnervate the biceps and brachialis muscle provides excellent elbow flexion strength in patients with brachial plexus nerve injuries.     

Free muscle transplantation combined with intercostal nerve crossing for reconstruction of elbow flexion and wrist extension in brachial plexus injuries.

Complete paralysis due to traumatic brachial plexus injury is extremely difficult to treat when the injury affects whole nerve roots and when motor function fails to show any signs of recovery. Seddon has suggested that arthrodesis of the shoulder and amputation at the humerus, combined with the use of a functional upper extremity prosthesis, was the most practical procedure available. Since 1965, in cases of irreparable lesions such as complete root avulsion type injuries, we have performed direct intercostal nerve crossing to the musculocutaneous nerve without free nerve graft to achieve elbow flexion. However, it is necessary to operate on the patient within 6 months following the injury to obtain good results. In the past there was no procedure for dealing with delayed cases of complete brachial plexus palsy. However, with the advent of microsurgical techniques, new approaches have become open to us. Since 1978, we have reconstructed the elbow flexor by the combined surgery of free muscle transplantation with intercostal nerve crossing in delayed cases of complete paralysis. This article introduces the operative technique and the results we have obtained.     

Reconstruction of finger and elbow function after complete avulsion of the brachial plexus

Simultaneous reconstruction of elbow and finger function with free muscle and nerve transfers after complete avulsion of the brachial plexus (nerve roots C5 to T1) and its long-term results are presented. The basic procedure combined free or vascular pedicle latissimus dorsi muscle transfer with reinnervation by the spinal accessory nerve to obtain elbow and finger flexion, intercostal nerve transfer of the radial nerve to activate elbow and wrist extensors, and suture of the supraclavicular nerve or intercostal sensory rami to the median nerve to restore hand sensibility. Six patients had some or all of these procedures. Postoperative follow-up ranged from 2 to 5 years. Elbow function was restored completely, and some finger flexion was achieved in all cases, although a dynamic splint was necessary to straighten the digits. Patients have continued to improve in grasp power and finger control. This procedure appears to be promising for the restoration of basic hand function in severely handicapped patients.     

Treatment of brachial plexus injury

A brachial plexus injury is the most severe nerve injury of the extremities. To achieve good results from treatment, correct diagnosis and early nerve repair are mandatory. The brachial plexus should be explored as early as possible if there is an incised wound, if clinical findings or diagnostic imaging indicate that at least one root is avulsed, if there is damage to the subclavian artery, and if there is total-type injury. With an upper-type injury with no clinical signs of a preganglionic lesion, the patient should be treated conservatively for 3 months and if there are no signs of recovery, then the brachial plexus should be explored. During this exploration, recording of the spinal cord evoked potential (ESCP) or the somatosensory evoked potential (SEP) is mandatory to determine the site of injury. Nerve grafting is indicated for a rupture in the root demonstrating a positive ESCP or SEP potential, in the trunk or in the cord. Exploration of the brachial plexus should be extended distally as far as possible to achieve good results after nerve grafting; when this was done more than M3 (MRC grading) power of the infraspinatus, deltoid, and biceps was achieved in more than 70% of our 32, 30, 33 patients, respectively. Results of nerve grafting for the forearm muscles have been very poor. Intercostal nerve transfer is recommended to restore elbow flexion in root avulsion type of injury, with elbow flexion to more than M3 being regained in 70% of our 221 patients. The best results of intercostal nerve transfer were achieved in patients younger than 30 years who received the operation within 6 months after injury. Motor recovery of hand function after intercostal nerve transfer was poor but protective sensation was restored in fingers innervated by the median nerve. The recommended treatment for each type of injury is described according to the results achieved. Received for publication on March 18, 1997; accepted on Aug. 7, 1997     

Electromyographic comparison of various exercises to improve elbow flexion following intercostal nerve transfer

We compared the quantitative electromyographic activity of the elbow flexors during four exercises (forced inspiration, forced expiration, trunk flexion and attempted elbow flexion), following intercostal nerve transfer to the musculocutaneous nerve in 32 patients who had sustained root avulsion brachial plexus injuries. Quantitative electromyographic evaluation of the mean and maximum amplitude was repeated three times for each exercise. We found that mean and maximum elbow flexor activity was highest during trunk flexion, followed by attempted elbow flexion, forced inspiration and finally forced expiration. The difference between each group was significant (p < 0.001), with the exception of the difference between trunk flexion and attempted elbow flexion. Consequently, we recommend trunk flexion exercises to aid rehabilitation following intercostal nerve transfer.