scholarly journals Radial to axillary nerve transfer

2018 ◽  
Vol 44 (videosuppl1) ◽  
pp. V1 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vicente Vanaclocha ◽  
Juan Manuel Herrera ◽  
Marlon Rivera-Paz ◽  
Deborah Martínez-Gómez ◽  
Leyre Vanaclocha

Axillary nerve injury is common after brachial plexus injuries, particularly with shoulder luxation. Nerve grafting is the traditional procedure for postganglionic injuries. Nerve transfer is emerging as a viable option particularly in late referrals. At the proximal arm the radial and axillary nerves lie close by. Sacrificing one of the triceps muscle nerve branches induces little negative consequences. Transferring the long head of the triceps nerve branch is a good option to recover axillary nerve function. The surgical technique is presented in a video, stressing the steps to achieve a successful result.The video can be found here: https://youtu.be/WbVbpMuPxIE.

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Obaid Al-Meshal ◽  
Alain Gilbert

There are multiple nerve branches supplying the triceps. Traditionally, the nerve to the long head of triceps is utilized for nerve transfer to neurotize the deltoid muscle in patients with brachial plexus injuries. However, no anatomical studies were done to investigate which triceps nerve would be preferred for nerve transfer. This anatomical study was carried out to describe the innervation pattern of the triceps muscle to investigate the preferred triceps nerve for nerve transfer. Twenty-five cadaveric arms were dissected. The long head of the triceps received a single branch in 23 cases (92%) and double branches in 2 cases (8%) only. The medial head had a single branch in 22 cases (88%) and double branches in 3 cases (12%). The lateral head was the most bulky one and received more than one branch in all cases (100%), ranging from 2 to 5 branches. The transfer of the most proximal branch to the lateral head of the triceps seems to be the most preferred choice for deltoid muscle innervation.


2013 ◽  
Vol 118 (3) ◽  
pp. 606-610 ◽  
Author(s):  
KaiMing Gao ◽  
Jie Lao ◽  
Xin Zhao ◽  
YuDong Gu

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.


2007 ◽  
Vol 107 (2) ◽  
pp. 370-377 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jayme Augusto Bertelli ◽  
Paulo Roberto Kechele ◽  
Marcos Antonio Santos ◽  
Hamilton Duarte ◽  
Marcos Flávio Ghizoni

Object Grafting or nerve transfers to the axillary nerve have been performed using a deltopectoral approach and/or a posterior arm approach. In this report, the surgical anatomy of the axillary nerve was studied with the goal of repairing the nerve through an axillary access. Methods The axillary nerve was bilaterally dissected in 10 embalmed cadavers to study its variations. Three patients with axillary nerve injuries then underwent surgical repair through an axillary access; the axillary nerve was repaired by transfer of the triceps long head motor branch. Results At the lateral margin of the subscapularis muscle, the axillary nerve was found in the center of a triangle bounded medially by the subscapular artery, laterally by the latissimus dorsi tendon, and cephalad by the posterior circumflex humeral artery. At the entrance of the quadrangular space, the axillary nerve divisions were loosely connected to each other, and could be clearly separated and correctly identified. Surgery for the axillary nerve repair through the axillary access was straightforward. Eighteen months after surgery, all three patients had recovered deltoid strength to a score of M4 on the Medical Research Council scale and had improved abduction strength by 50%. No deficit was evident in elbow extension. Conclusions The axillary nerve and its branches can be safely dissected and repaired by triceps motor nerve transfer through an axillary access.


2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (03) ◽  
pp. 139-142 ◽  
Author(s):  
Prashant Chaware ◽  
John Santoshi ◽  
Manmohan Patel ◽  
Mohtashim Ahmad ◽  
Bertha Rathinam

AbstractThe innervation pattern of triceps is complex and not fully comprehended. Anomalous innervations of triceps have been described by various authors. We have attempted to delineate the nerve supply of the triceps and documented the anomalous innervations of its different heads. The brachial plexus and its major branches (in the region of the axilla and arm) and triceps were dissected in 36 embalmed cadaver upper limbs. Long head received one branch from radial nerve in 31 (86%) specimens. Four (11%) specimens received two branches including one that had dual innervation from the radial and axillary nerves, and one (3%) specimen had exclusive innervation from a branch of the axillary nerve. Medial head received two branches arising from the radial nerve in 34 (94%) specimens. One (3%) specimen received three branches from the radial nerve whereas one (3%) had dual supply from the radial and ulnar nerves. Lateral head received multiple branches exclusively from the radial nerve, ranging from 2 to 5, in all (100%) specimens. Knowledge of the variations in innervation of the triceps would not only help the surgeon to avoid inadvertent injury to any of the nerve branches but also offers new options for nerve and free functional muscle transfers.


Neurosurgery ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 70 (2) ◽  
pp. E516-E520 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leandro Pretto Flores

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.


2004 ◽  
Vol 16 (5) ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
Martijn J. A. Malessy ◽  
Godard C. W. de Ruiter ◽  
Kees S. de Boer ◽  
Ralph T. W. M. Thomeer

Object The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the restoration of shoulder function by means of supra-scapular nerve neurotization in adult patients with proximal C-5 and C-6 lesions due to a severe brachial plexus traction injury (BPTI). The primary goal of brachial plexus reconstructive surgery was to restore the 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 could be 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 (8%) infraspinatus muscle power was 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° (standard deviation [SD]) (median 45°) and four patients (8%) exhibited glenohumeral exorotation with a mean of 48 ± 24° (SD) (median 53°). In only three patients (6%) were both functions regained. Conclusions The reanimation of shoulder function in patients with proximal C-5 and C-6 BPTIs following supra-scapular nerve neurotization is disappointingly low.


2019 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 133-138 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johannes A. Mayer ◽  
Laura A. Hruby ◽  
Stefan Salminger ◽  
Gerd Bodner ◽  
Oskar C. Aszmann

OBJECTIVESpinal accessory nerve palsy is frequently caused by iatrogenic damage during neck surgery in the posterior triangle of the neck. Due to late presentation, treatment regularly necessitates nerve grafts, which often results in a poor outcome of trapezius function due to long regeneration distances. Here, the authors report a distal nerve transfer using fascicles of the upper trunk related to axillary nerve function for reinnervation of the trapezius muscle.METHODSFive cases are presented in which accessory nerve lesions were reconstructed using selective fascicular nerve transfers from the upper trunk of the brachial plexus. Outcomes were assessed at 20 ± 6 months (mean ± SD) after surgery, and active range of motion and pain levels using the visual analog scale were documented.RESULTSAll 5 patients regained good to excellent trapezius function (3 patients had grade M5, 2 patients had grade M4). The mean active range of motion in shoulder abduction improved from 55° ± 18° before to 151° ± 37° after nerve reconstruction. In all patients, unrestricted shoulder arm movement was restored with loss of scapular winging when abducting the arm. Average pain levels decreased from 6.8 to 0.8 on the visual analog scale and subsided in 4 of 5 patients.CONCLUSIONSRestoration of spinal accessory nerve function with selective fascicle transfers related to axillary nerve function from the upper trunk of the brachial plexus is a good and intuitive option for patients who do not qualify for primary nerve repair or present with a spontaneous idiopathic palsy. This concept circumvents the problem of long regeneration distances with direct nerve repair and has the advantage of cognitive synergy to the target function of shoulder movement.


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