Shoulder abduction and external rotation restoration with nerve transfer

The purpose of this study was to investigate the anatomical basis of intercostal nerve transfer to the suprascapular nerve and provide a case report. Thoracic walls of 30 embalmed human cadavers were used to investigate the anatomical feasibility for neurotization of the suprascapular nerve with intercostal nerves in brachial plexus root avulsions. We found that the 3rd and 4th intercostal nerves could be transferred to the suprascapular nerve without a nerve graft. Based on the anatomical study, the 3rd and 4th intercostal nerves were transferred to the suprascapular nerve via the deltopectoral approach in a 42-year-old man who had had C5-7 root avulsions and partial injury of C8, T1 of the right brachial plexus. Thirty-two months postoperatively, the patient gained 30° of shoulder abduction and 45° of external rotation. This procedure provided us with a reliable and convenient method for shoulder function reconstruction after brachial plexus root avulsion accompanied with spinal accessory nerve injury. It can also be used when the accessory nerve is intact but needs to be preserved for better shoulder stability or possible future trapezius transfer.

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Results of Distal Nerve Transfers in Restoration of Shoulder Function in C5 and C6 Root Avulsion Injury to the Brachial Plexus

Indian Journal of Neurotrauma ◽

10.1055/s-0037-1604050 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 14 (01) ◽

pp. 021-025

Author(s):

Prem Bhandari

Keyword(s):

Brachial Plexus ◽

External Rotation ◽

Nerve Transfer ◽

Shoulder Function ◽

Shoulder Abduction ◽

Root Avulsion ◽

Long Thoracic Nerve ◽

Avulsion Injury ◽

Nerve Transfers ◽

Distal Nerve

Background The lack of shoulder function following brachial plexus injury is a debilitating condition. Nerve root avulsion injury precludes a direct nerve repair. Under these circumstances, distal nerve transfer is a well-established technique in the restoration of shoulder abduction and external rotation. Methods Thirty patients with C5 and C6 root avulsion injury were treated with distal nerve transfers in the period between February 2009 and December 2012.The average denervation period was 5.6 months. Shoulder function was restored by posterior transfer of distal part of the spinal accessory nerve into the suprascapular nerve and transfer of the long head triceps branch of radial nerve to the anterior branch of axillary nerve. An additional nerve transfer was performed in four patients with winged scapula by transferring a part of thoracodorsal nerve into the long thoracic nerve. Results Twenty-seven patients recovered shoulder abduction; 18 scored M4 and 9 scored M3. Range of abduction averaged 118 degrees (range, 90–170 degrees). Nineteen patients restored external rotation with an average of 53 degrees (range: 30–70 degrees). Three patients failed to recover shoulder abduction though the joint regained stability. External rotation remained severely restricted in 11 patients. At final follow-up, winging of scapula improved in three of four patients following reinnervation of the serratus anterior muscle. Conclusion Nerve transfers, when performed close to the target muscles, restore good range and strength of shoulder abduction in most patients with C5 and C6 root avulsion injuries. However, return in external rotation is not as good as the recovery in abduction.

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Multiple nerve transfers for the reanimation of shoulder and elbow functions in irreparable C5, C6 and upper truncal lesions of the brachial plexus

Indian Journal of Neurotrauma ◽

10.1016/s0973-0508(08)80008-1 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 05 (02) ◽

pp. 95-104 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

PS Bhandari ◽

LP Sadhotra ◽

P Bhargava ◽

AS Bath ◽

MK Mukherjee ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Brachial Plexus ◽

External Rotation ◽

Nerve Transfer ◽

Elbow Flexion ◽

Suprascapular Nerve ◽

Shoulder Function ◽

Spinal Nerve ◽

Shoulder Abduction ◽

Nerve Branch ◽

Nerve Transfers

AbstractIn irreparable C5, C6 spinal nerve and upper truncal injuries the proximal root stumps are not available for grafting, hence repair is based on nerve transfer or neurotization. Between Feb 2004 and May 2006, 23 patients with irreparable C5, C6 or upper truncal injuries of the Brachial Plexus underwent multiple nerve transfers to restore the shoulder and elbow functions. Most of them (16 patients) sustained injury following motor cycle accidents. The average denervation period was 5.3 months. Shoulder function was restored by transfer of distal part of spinal accessory nerve to suprascapular nerve, and transfer of radial nerve branch to long head of triceps to the anterior branch of axillary nerve. Elbow function was restored by transfers of ulnar and median nerve fascicles to the biceps and brachialis motor branches of musculocutaneous nerve. All patients recovered shoulder abduction and external rotation; 7 scored M4 and 16 scored M3. Range of abduction averaged 1230(range, 800-1700). Full elbow flexion was restored in all 23 patients; 15 scored M4 and 8 scored M3. Patients with excellent results could lift 5 kgs of weight. Selective nerve transfers close to the target muscle provide an early and good return of functions. There is negligible morbidity in donor nerves. These intraplexal transfers are suitable in all cases of upper brachial plexus injuries.

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Reinnervation of Extrinsic Finger Flexors and Brachioradialis 22 and 36 Months Following Traumatic Pan-Brachial Plexopathy: A Case Report

The Journal of Hand Surgery (Asian-Pacific Volume) ◽

10.1142/s2424835519720081 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 24 (01) ◽

pp. 118-122

Author(s):

Linden K. Head ◽

Gerald Wolff ◽

Kirsty U. Boyd

Keyword(s):

External Rotation ◽

Nerve Transfer ◽

Elbow Flexion ◽

Suprascapular Nerve ◽

Flexor Digitorum Profundus ◽

Shoulder Abduction ◽

Brachial Plexopathy ◽

Post Injury ◽

Assessment And Treatment ◽

Flexor Digitorum

A 25-year-old man sustained a right-sided brachial plexus injury from a high-velocity motocross accident. Physical examination and electromyography were consistent with a pan-brachial plexopathy with no evidence of axonal continuity. The patient underwent a spinal accessory to suprascapular nerve transfer and an intercostal to musculocutaneous nerve transfer with interpositional sural nerve grafts. He recovered MRC 4/5 elbow flexion and MRC 2/5 shoulder abduction and external rotation. Twenty-two months post-injury the patient displayed a flicker of flexion of his flexor pollicis longus and flexor digitorum profundus to his index finger – he went on to recover a functional pinch. Thirty-six months post-injury the patient displayed a flicker of contraction in brachioradialis with motor unit potentials on electromyography. This case demonstrates that some patients may have capacity for functional recovery after prolonged denervation and highlights the potential impact of anatomical anomalies in the assessment and treatment of peripheral nerve injuries.

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Nerve graft versus nerve transfer for neonatal brachial plexus: shoulder outcomes

Journal of Neurosurgery Pediatrics ◽

10.3171/2020.6.peds2027 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 27 (1) ◽

pp. 87-92

Author(s):

Brandon W. Smith ◽

Kate W. C. Chang ◽

Sravanthi Koduri ◽

Lynda J. S. Yang

Keyword(s):

Brachial Plexus ◽

Clinical Data ◽

External Rotation ◽

Nerve Transfer ◽

Shoulder Function ◽

Nerve Transfers ◽

Shoulder Flexion ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Transfer Strategies ◽

Shoulder External Rotation

OBJECTIVEThe decision-making in neonatal brachial plexus palsy (NBPP) treatment continues to have many areas in need of clarification. Graft repair was the gold standard until the introduction of nerve transfer strategies. Currently, there is conflicting evidence regarding outcomes in patients with nerve grafts versus nerve transfers in relation to shoulder function. The objective of this study was to further define the outcomes for reconstruction strategies in NBPP with a specific focus on the shoulder.METHODSA cohort of patients with NBPP and surgical repairs from a single center were reviewed. Demographic and standard clinical data, including imaging and electrodiagnostics, were gathered from a clinical database. Clinical data from physical therapy evaluations, including active and passive range of motion, were examined. Statistical analysis was performed on the available data.RESULTSForty-five patients met the inclusion criteria for this study, 19 with graft repair and 26 with nerve transfers. There were no significant differences in demographics between the two groups. Understandably, there were no patients in the nerve grafting group with preganglionic lesions, resulting in a difference in lesion type between the cohorts. There were no differences in preoperative shoulder function between the cohorts. Both groups reached statistically significant improvements in shoulder flexion and shoulder abduction. The nerve transfer group experienced a significant improvement in shoulder external rotation, from −78° to −28° (p = 0.0001), whereas a significant difference was not reached in the graft group. When compared between groups, there appeared to be a trend favoring nerve transfer in shoulder external rotation, with the graft patients improving by 17° and the transfer patients improving by 49° (p = 0.07).CONCLUSIONSIn NBPP, patients with shoulder weakness experience statistically significant improvements in shoulder flexion and abduction after graft repair or nerve transfer, and patients with nerve transfers additionally experience significant improvement in external rotation. With regard to shoulder external rotation, there appear to be some data supporting the use of nerve transfers.

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Traumatic Brachial Plexus Palsy in Children: Long-Term Outcome and Strategy of Reconstruction

Journal of Reconstructive Microsurgery ◽

10.1055/s-0041-1726029 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Tarek A. El-Gammal ◽

Amr El-Sayed ◽

Mohamed M. Kotb ◽

Waleed Riad Saleh ◽

Yasser Farouk Ragheb ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Brachial Plexus ◽

External Rotation ◽

Hand Function ◽

Functional Restoration ◽

Shoulder Abduction ◽

Wrist Flexion ◽

Term Outcome ◽

Long Term Outcome ◽

Age At Surgery ◽

Flexion And Extension

Abstract Background Traumatic brachial plexus injuries in children represent a definite spectrum of injuries between adult and neonatal brachial plexus injuries. Their characteristics have been scarcely reported in the literature. The priority of functional restoration is not clear. Materials and Methods In total, 52 children with surgically treated traumatic brachial plexus injuries, excluding Erb's palsy, were reviewed after a minimum follow-up of 2 years. All children except nine were males, with an average age at surgery of 8 years. Forty-five children had exclusive supraclavicular plexus injuries. Twenty-one of them (46%) had two or more root avulsions. Seven children (13.5%) had infraclavicular plexus injuries. Time from trauma to surgery varied from 1 to 15 months (mean = 4.7 months). Extraplexal neurotization was the most common surgical technique used. Results Shoulder abduction and external rotation were restored to an average of 83 and 26 degrees, respectively. Elbow flexion and extension were restored to grade ≥3 in 96 and 91.5% of cases, respectively. Finger flexion and extension were restored to grade ≥4 in 29 and 32% of cases, respectively. Wrist flexion and extension were restored to grade ≥4 in 21 and 27% of cases, respectively. Results of neurotization were superior to those of neurolysis and nerve grafting. Among the 24 children with insensate hands, 20 (83.3%) recovered S3 sensation, 3 recovered S2, and 1 recovered S1. No case complained of neuropathic pain. Functional recovery correlated negatively but insignificantly with the age at surgery and time from injury to surgery. Conclusion Brachial plexus injuries in children are associated with a high incidence root avulsions and no pain. Neurotization is frequently required and the outcome is not significantly affected by the delay in surgery. In total plexus injuries, some useful hand function can be restored, and management should follow that of obstetric palsy and be focused on innervating the medial cord.

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Transfer of a Motor Fascicle From the Ulnar Nerve to the Branch of the Radial Nerve Destined to the Long Head of the Triceps for Restoration of Elbow Extension in Brachial Plexus Surgery

Neurosurgery ◽

10.1227/neu.0b013e31822ac120 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 70 (2) ◽

pp. E516-E520 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Leandro Pretto Flores

Keyword(s):

Computed Tomography ◽

Brachial Plexus ◽

Ulnar Nerve ◽

Radial Nerve ◽

Nerve Transfer ◽

Elbow Flexion ◽

Shoulder Abduction ◽

Elbow Extension ◽

Long Head ◽

Brachial Plexus Surgery

Abstract BACKGROUND AND IMPORTANCE: Restoration of elbow extension has not been considered of much importance regarding functional outcomes in brachial plexus surgery; however, the flexion of the elbow joint is only fully effective if the motion can be stabilized, what can be achieved solely if the triceps brachii is coactivated. To present a novel nerve transfer of a healthy motor fascicle from the ulnar nerve to the nerve of the long head of the triceps to restore the elbow extension function in brachial plexus injuries involving the upper and middle trunks. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: Case 1 is a 32-year-old man sustaining a right brachial extended upper plexus injury in a motorcycle accident 5 months before admission. The computed tomography myelogram demonstrated avulsion of the C5 and C6 roots. Case 2 is a 24-year-old man who sustained a C5-C7 injury to the left brachial plexus in a traffic accident 4 months before admission. Computed tomography myelogram demonstrated signs of C6 and C7 root avulsion. The technique included an incision at the medial border of the biceps, in the proximal third of the involved arm, followed by identification of the ulnar nerve, the radial nerve, and the branch to the long head of the triceps. The proximal stump of a motor fascicle from the ulnar nerve was sutured directly to the distal stump of the nerve of the long head of the triceps. Techniques to restore elbow flexion and shoulder abduction were applied in both cases. Triceps strength Medical Research Council M4 grade was obtained in both cases. CONCLUSION: The attempted nerve transfer was effective for restoration of elbow extension in primary brachial plexus surgery; however, it should be selected only for cases in which other reliable donor nerves were used to restore elbow flexion.

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Clinical findings in C5-C6 and C5-C7 root palsies with brachial plexus traction lesions

Journal of Hand Surgery (European Volume) ◽

10.1177/1753193412471009 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 38 (3) ◽

pp. 237-241 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

J. A. Bertelli ◽

M. F. Ghizoni

Keyword(s):

Brachial Plexus ◽

External Rotation ◽

Elbow Flexion ◽

Clinical Findings ◽

Hand Strength ◽

Shoulder Abduction ◽

Finger Extension ◽

Root Injury ◽

Flexion Extension

Stretch injuries of the C5-C7 roots of the brachial plexus traditionally have been associated with palsies of shoulder abduction/external rotation, elbow flexion/extension, and wrist, thumb, and finger extension. Based on current myotome maps we hypothesized that, as far as motion is concerned, palsies involving C5-C6 and C5-C7 root injuries should be similar. In 38 patients with upper-type palsies of the brachial plexus, we examined for correlations between clinical findings and root injury level, as documented by CT tomomyeloscan. Contrary to commonly held beliefs, C5-C7 root injuries were not associated with loss of extension of the elbow, wrist, thumb, or fingers, but residual hand strength was much lower with C5-C7 vs C5-C6 lesions.

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An adjustable shoulder abduction orthosis for the post-operative management of tendon transfers: A preliminary study

Prosthetics and Orthotics International ◽

10.1080/03093640802015755 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 32 (2) ◽

pp. 129-135 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Suat Erel ◽

İbrahim Engin Şimşek ◽

Çiğdem Ayhan ◽

Nilgün Bek ◽

Yavuz Yakut ◽

...

Keyword(s):

External Rotation ◽

Operative Management ◽

Shoulder Abduction ◽

Rehabilitation Center ◽

Brachial Plexus Palsy ◽

Obstetric Brachial Plexus Palsy ◽

Musculus Latissimus Dorsi ◽

Obstetric Brachial Plexus ◽

Teres Major ◽

Preliminary Study

Transfer of Musculus Latissimus dorsi/M. Teres major to the rotator cuff with or without M. Subscapularis/M. Pectoralis release is a widely used procedure for restoring shoulder abduction and external rotation in squeal of obstetric brachial plexus palsy. After the operation a shoulder abduction orthosis in maximal external rotation and 90 – 100° abduction is utilized following six weeks of immobilization in a shoulder spica cast for protecting the newly transferred muscle from undue elongation. However this in turn may cause contracture of the external rotators. To overcome this problem, a modified shoulder abduction splint with adjustable internal-external rotation/abduction-adduction ranges was developed in the orthotics department of a rehabilitation center. The custom molded adjustable shoulder abduction orthosis is described and the preliminary results are compared with former applications.

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