Jie Lao

Selective Neurotization of the Median Nerve in the Arm to Treat Brachial Plexus Palsy

BACKGROUND The current method for treatment of median nerve palsy after a brachial plexus injury is unpredictable. On the basis of an anatomic study of the median nerve in the arm, we present a new method of selective neurotization of the median nerve. METHODS Internal topographic features of the fascicular groups of the median nerve were observed in seventeen cadavera. On the basis of the anatomical results, selective neurotization of the posterior fascicular group of the median nerve in the arm was performed in one patient with a complete brachial plexus palsy. RESULTS In the distal half of the arm, the branches of the median nerve consistently collect into three fascicular groups, which are located at the anterior, middle, and posterior parts of the median nerve trunk. The anterior fascicular group is composed of the branches to the pronator teres and the flexor carpi radialis, the posterior fascicular group is composed mainly of the anterior interosseous nerve and the branches to the palmaris longus, and the middle fascicular group is made up mostly of the branches to the hand and the flexor digitorum superficialis. A transfer of the full length of the phrenic nerve was used to selectively reinnervate the posterior fascicular group of the median nerve in a patient with a complete brachial plexus palsy. The muscles supplied by the posterior fascicular group regained Grade-4 power, according to the system of the Medical Research Council, sixteen months after surgery. CONCLUSIONS The typical arrangement of the fascicular groups of the median nerve in the arm favors the technique of selective neurotization, which has been used effectively in one patient to date.

Comparative study of phrenic nerve transfers with and without nerve graft for elbow flexion after global brachial plexus injury.

BACKGROUND Nerve transfer is a valuable surgical technique in peripheral nerve reconstruction, especially in brachial plexus injuries. Phrenic nerve transfer for elbow flexion was proved to be one of the optimal procedures in the treatment of brachial plexus injuries in the study of Gu et al. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to compare phrenic nerve transfers with and without nerve graft for elbow flexion after brachial plexus injury. METHODS A retrospective review of 33 patients treated with phrenic nerve transfer for elbow flexion in posttraumatic global root avulsion brachial plexus injury was carried out. All the 33 patients were confirmed to have global root avulsion brachial plexus injury by preoperative and intraoperative electromyography (EMG), physical examination and especially by intraoperative exploration. There were two types of phrenic nerve transfers: type1 - the phrenic nerve to anterolateral bundle of anterior division of upper trunk (14 patients); type 2 - the phrenic nerve via nerve graft to anterolateral bundle of musculocutaneous nerve (19 patients). Motor function and EMG evaluation were performed at least 3 years after surgery. RESULTS The efficiency of motor function in type 1 was 86%, while it was 84% in type 2. The two groups were not statistically different in terms of Medical Research Council (MRC) grade (p=1.000) and EMG results (p=1.000). There were seven patients with more than 4 months delay of surgery, among whom only three patients regained biceps power to M3 strength or above (43%). A total of 26 patients had reconstruction done within 4 months, among whom 25 patients recovered to M3 strength or above (96%). There was a statistically significant difference of motor function between the delay of surgery within 4 months and more than 4 months (p=0.008). CONCLUSION Phrenic nerve transfers with and without nerve graft for elbow flexion after brachial plexus injury had no significant difference for biceps reinnervation according to MRC grading and EMG. A delay of the surgery after the 4 months might imply a bad prognosis for the recovery of the function.

Outcome after transfer of intercostal nerves to the nerve of triceps long head in 25 adult patients with total brachial plexus root avulsion injury

OBJECT The intercostal nerves (ICNs) have been used to repair the triceps branch in some organizations in the world, but the reported results differ significantly. The effect of this procedure requires evaluation. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the outcome of ICN transfer to the nerve of the long head of the triceps muscle and to determine the factors affecting the outcome of this procedure. METHODS A retrospective review was conducted in 25 patients with global root avulsion brachial plexus injuries who underwent ICN transfer. The nerves of the long head of the triceps were the recipient nerves in all patients. The ICNs were used in 2 different ways: 2 ICNs were used as donor nerves in 18 patients, and 3 ICNs were used in 7 patients. The mean follow-up period was 5.6 years. RESULTS The effective rate of motor recovery in the 25 patients was 56% for the function of the long head of the triceps. There was no significant difference in functional recovery between the patients with 2 or 3 ICN transfers. The outcome of this procedure was not altered if combined with phrenic nerve transfer to the biceps branch. Patients in whom surgery was delayed 6 months or less achieved better results. CONCLUSIONS The transfer of ICNs to the nerve of long head of the triceps is an effective procedure for treating global brachial plexus avulsion injuries, even if combined with phrenic nerve transfer to the biceps branch. Two ICNs appear to be sufficient for donation. The earlier the surgery is performed, the better are the results achieved.

Intercostal nerve transfer to neurotize the musculocutaneous nerve after traumatic brachial plexus avulsion: a comparison of two, three, and four nerve transfers.

The purpose of this study was to compare the outcomes of different numbers of intercostal nerve (ICN) transfers for elbow flexion and to determine whether age, body mass index (BMI), type of injury, and preoperative delay influence the outcomes. From 2004 to 2010, 32 (30 included) consecutive patients underwent ICN transfer to the musculocutaneous nerve following brachial plexus injury. Elbow flexion strength was evaluated according to the British Medical Research Council (BMRC) grading system. Of nine patients who received two ICN transfers, six (66.7%) recovered with useful elbow flexion compared with 14 of 17 (82.4%) patients who received three ICN transfers. Of the four patients with four ICN transfers, three (75%) achieved useful recovery. Statistical analysis showed no significant difference. There is no significant difference among the outcomes of two, three, and four ICN transfers to the musculocutaneous nerve. Two ICN transfers are sufficient for useful recovery of elbow flexion. Younger patients achieve better results.

Comparative study of phrenic and intercostal nerve transfers for elbow flexion after global brachial plexus injury

BACKGROUND Global brachial plexus injuries (BPIs) are devastating events frequently resulting in severe functional impairment. The widely used nerve transfer sources for elbow flexion in patients with global BPIs include intercostal and phrenic nerves. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to compare phrenic and intercostal nerve transfers for elbow flexion after global BPI. METHODS A retrospective review of 33 patients treated with phrenic and intercostal nerve transfer for elbow flexion in posttraumatic global root avulsion BPI was carried out. In the phrenic nerve transfer group, the phrenic nerve was transferred to the anterolateral bundle of the anterior division of the upper trunk (23 patients); in the intercostal nerve transfer group, three intercostal nerves were coapted to the anterolateral bundles of the musculocutaneous nerve. The British Medical Research Council (MRC) grading system, angle of elbow flexion, and electromyography (EMG) were used to evaluate the recovery of elbow flexion at least 3 years postoperatively. RESULTS The efficiency of motor function in the phrenic nerve transfer group was 83%, while it was 70% in the intercostal nerve transfer group. The two groups were not statistically different in terms of the MRC grade (p=0.646) and EMG results (p=0.646). The outstanding rates of angle of elbow flexion were 48% and 40% in the phrenic and intercostal nerve transfer groups, respectively. There was no significant difference of outstanding rates in the angle of elbow flexion between the two groups. CONCLUSION Phrenic nerve transfer had a higher proportion of good prognosis for elbow flexion than intercostal nerve transfer, but the effective and outstanding rate had no significant difference for biceps reinnervation between the two groups according to MRC grading, angle of elbow flexion, and EMG.

Outcome of nerve transfers for traumatic complete brachial plexus avulsion: results of 28 patients by DASH and NRS questionnaires

The objective of this study was to evaluate outcomes of patients who suffered complete brachial plexus avulsion before and after nerve transfers by assessing upper extremity function and pain using the DASH and NRS questionnaires. Patients who underwent nerve transfers improved their DASH and NRS scores compared with before surgery. Although individually there was no correlation with improved scores, the triple combination of rehabilitation exercises, electrical stimulation therapy and neurotrophic drugs postoperatively correlated positively with improved functional outcomes. This study suggested a positive effect of the passage of time and nerve transfers in total brachial plexus avulsions from patients’ self assessments.

Posterior approach for accessory-suprascapular nerve transfer: an electrophysiological outcomes study

The aim of this study was to retrospectively investigate the electrophysiological results obtained after employing the posterior approach for spinal accessory nerve-suprascapular nerve (SAN-SSN) transfer, and to compare this with the traditional anterior approach. SAN-SSN transfer was performed in 74 patients with brachial plexus injury. The posterior approach was used in 35 patients and the anterior approach was used in 39 patients. Electrophysiological examination was conducted and analyzed postoperatively. There was no significant difference between approaches in the time it took for the infraspinatus to show low-incidence motor unit action potentials (MUAPs) and an incomplete interference pattern. In addition, the final ratio of patients that showed regeneration potential of the infraspinatus was not significantly different between the approaches. Furthermore, latency and wave amplitude showed a linear regression with post-operative time in the posterior approach group. In the posterior approach group, the final abduction of the shoulder was positively correlated with the amplitude. The posterior approach for SAN-SSN is an effective potential alternative technique that may be appropriate for some clinical situations.

The clinical characteristics of neuropathic pain in patients with total brachial plexus avulsion: A 30-case study

UNLABELLED Neuropathic pain in patients with total brachial plexus avulsion has always been a sophisticated problem in clinical practice. OBJECTIVES For further researches on objective diagnosis, alleviation or even cure of neuropathic pain, we need to conclude the basic clinical features including pain intensity, distribution, type and possible risk factors. METHODS Thirty cases of patients with total brachial plexus avulsion were included and their baseline information was collected. Pain was evaluated by Present Pain Index using a visual analog scale; Douleur Neuropathique 4 was used for screening neuropathic pain. For more detailed pain description, the Neuropathic Pain Symptoms Inventory questionnaire and a picture showing the exact pain district were both fulfilled by all the eligible participants. The relationship between neuropathic pain and basic information, injury conditions, accompanied conditions and quality of life was tested. RESULTS All the participants were male in both groups. The neuropathic pain group contained 22 patients (73.33%) with the mean age of 30.18±9.47; while 29.00±7.95 in the other group. Patients with neuropathic pain presented variously in pain degree, location, type and time phase, according to the results of the Neuropathic Pain Symptoms Inventory questionnaire. Nevertheless, most pain distributed on the region of hand. Among several related factors, alcohol abuse may be possible risk factors of neuropathic pain (p=0.03). Quality of life was significantly affected by pain (p<0.01). CONCLUSION Neuropathic pain in patients with total brachial avulsion was characterized with heterogeneity in pain distribution, intensity, type and also time phase. Bad life habits might be risk factors associated with neuropathic pain. Neuropathic pain might affect quality of life of the patients with total brachial plexus avulsion remarkably.

A new model for the study of neuropathic pain after brachial plexus injury.

The study was to introduce a new and reliable behavioral model of upper trunk of brachial plexus avulsion for the study of persistent neuropathic pain. 60 rats were divided into three groups randomly: upper trunk of brachial plexus avulsion (UTBPA) group (20), global brachial plexus avulsion (GBPA) group (20), and sham- operated group (20). The animals were tested for behavioral responsiveness before surgeries and 3, 7, 14, 21, 28, 56, 84days after surgeries. The injured level of spinal cord was resected and the sections were processed for GFAP (astrocyte) and Iba1 (microglia) immunohistochemistry 3 weeks after surgeries. The UTBPA group developed significant signs both of mechanical and cold hypersensitivity, which matched the immunohistochemistry result, as well as the nature of avulsion was close to the clinical type of injury, the UTBPA group could be used as a suitable and effective persistent neuropathic pain model following brachial plexus injury.

Effect of isolated unilateral diaphragmatic paralysis on ventilation and exercise performance in rats

The degree of impairment of ventilation and exercise performance after unilateral diaphragmatic paralysis (UDP) induced by phrenic nerve injury has been controversial due to heterogeneity in the published clinical studies. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of isolated UDP on breathing and exercise performance in conscious rats. Breathing was measured by unrestrained whole body plethysmography during quiet breathing and after moderate aerobic exercise. Additionally, incremental exercise testing was performed to evaluate the effects of intensive activity. The results demonstrated that complete UDP in rats resulted in a permanent decrease of peak inspiratory flow at rest breathing. Nevertheless, adequate ventilation could be maintained, and the breathing pattern was unaltered due to a strong compensatory mechanism and central re-coordination initiated by UDP. After being affected at an early stage, the ventilatory response to exercise was gradually regained and subsequently restored.