Reconstruction of the spinal accessory nerve with selective fascicular nerve transfer of the upper trunk

2019 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 133-138 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johannes A. Mayer ◽  
Laura A. Hruby ◽  
Stefan Salminger ◽  
Gerd Bodner ◽  
Oskar C. Aszmann
Keyword(s):  
Brachial Plexus ◽  
Nerve Repair ◽  
Nerve Transfer ◽  
Axillary Nerve ◽  
Spinal Accessory Nerve ◽  
Accessory Nerve ◽  
Nerve Function ◽  
Analog Scale ◽  
Spinal Accessory ◽  
Active Range Of Motion

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.

scholarly journals Comparison of spinal accessory nerve transfer to supra-scapular nerve vs. shoulder arthrodesis in adults with brachial plexus injury

2019 ◽  
Vol 105 (8) ◽  
pp. 1555-1561
Author(s):  
Benjamin Degeorge ◽  
Cyril Lazerges ◽  
Pierre Emmanuel Chammas ◽  
Bertrand Coulet ◽  
Fabien Lacombe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Brachial Plexus ◽  
Brachial Plexus Injury ◽  
Nerve Transfer ◽  
Spinal Accessory Nerve ◽  
Accessory Nerve ◽  
Spinal Accessory ◽  
Shoulder Arthrodesis

Contralateral spinal accessory nerve for ipsilateral neurotization of branches of the brachial plexus: a cadaveric feasibility study

2011 ◽  
Vol 114 (6) ◽  
pp. 1538-1540 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Shane Tubbs ◽  
Martin M. Mortazavi ◽  
Mohammadali M. Shoja ◽  
Marios Loukas ◽  
Aaron A. Cohen-Gadol
Keyword(s):  
Brachial Plexus ◽  
Spinous Process ◽  
Trapezius Muscle ◽  
Nerve Transfer ◽  
Average Diameter ◽  
Spinal Accessory Nerve ◽  
Accessory Nerve ◽  
Nerve Injuries ◽  
Potential Donor ◽  
Spinal Accessory

Object Additional nerve transfer options are important to the peripheral nerve surgeon to maximize patient outcomes following nerve injuries. Potential regional donors may also be injured or involved in the primary disease. Therefore, potential contralateral donor nerves would be desirable. To the authors' knowledge, use of the contralateral spinal accessory nerve (SAN) has not been explored for ipsilateral neurotization procedures. In the current study, therefore, the authors aimed to evaluate the SAN as a potential donor nerve for contralateral nerve injuries by using a novel technique. Methods In 10 cadavers, the SAN was harvested using a posterior approach, and tunneled subcutaneously to the contralateral side for neurotization to various branches of the brachial plexus. Measurements were made of the SAN available for transfer and of its diameter. Results The authors found an SAN length of approximately 20 cm (from transition of upper and middle fibers of the trapezius muscle to approximately 2–4 cm superior to the insertion of the trapezius muscle onto the spinous process of T-12) available for nerve transposition. The average diameter was 2.5 mm. Conclusions Based on these findings, the contralateral SAN may be considered for ipsilateral neurotization to the suprascapular and axillary nerves.

Evaluation of infraspinatus reinnervation and function following spinal accessory nerve to suprascapular nerve transfer in adult traumatic brachial plexus injuries

Microsurgery ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 37 (5) ◽  
pp. 365-370 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heather L. Baltzer ◽  
Eric R. Wagner ◽  
Michelle F. Kircher ◽  
Robert J. Spinner ◽  
Allen T. Bishop ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Brachial Plexus ◽  
Nerve Transfer ◽  
Suprascapular Nerve ◽  
Spinal Accessory Nerve ◽  
Accessory Nerve ◽  
Spinal Accessory ◽  
And Function

scholarly journals Use of contralateral spinal accessory nerve for ipsilateral suprascapular neurotization in global brachial plexus injury: a new technique

2016 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 186-188 ◽  
Author(s):  
Prem Singh Bhandari ◽  
Prabal Deb
Keyword(s):  
Brachial Plexus ◽  
Brachial Plexus Injury ◽  
Standard Technique ◽  
Nerve Transfer ◽  
Suprascapular Nerve ◽  
Spinal Accessory Nerve ◽  
Accessory Nerve ◽  
Spinal Accessory ◽  
A New Technique ◽  
Additional Option

Nerve transfer between the spinal accessory nerve (SAN) and the suprascapular nerve (SSN) is a standard technique in shoulder reanimation. In cases of global brachial plexus injury, donor nerves are few and at times severely traumatized owing to extensive traction forces. This precludes the application of standard nerve transfer techniques. The authors offer the use of the contralateral SAN as an additional option in the reinnervation of an injured SSN in such circumstances. To the best of their knowledge, this is the first successful attempt of this technique to be reported in the literature.

Traumatic Suprascapular Nerve Injury at the Notch—A Reason for the Posterior Approach in Brachial Plexus Reconstruction

2017 ◽  
Vol 33 (08) ◽  
pp. 592-595
Author(s):  
Marc Seifman ◽  
Scott Ferris
Keyword(s):  
Brachial Plexus ◽  
Posterior Approach ◽  
External Rotation ◽  
Nerve Transfer ◽  
Suprascapular Nerve ◽  
Shoulder Function ◽  
Senior Author ◽  
Spinal Accessory Nerve ◽  
Accessory Nerve ◽  
Spinal Accessory

Background Optimal dynamic reconstruction of shoulder function requires a functional suprascapular nerve (SSN). Nerve transfer of the distal spinal accessory nerve (dSAN) to the SSN will in many cases restore very good supraspinatus and infraspinatus function. One potential cause of failure of this nerve transfer is an unrecognized more distal injury of the SSN. An anterior approach to this transfer does not allow for visualization of the nerve at the scapular notch which is a disadvantage when compared with a posterior approach to the SSN. Methods All patients of the senior author (S.F.) with traumatic brachial plexus injuries undergoing spinal accessory nerve to SSN transfer via the posterior approach were analyzed. Results Of the 58 patients, 11 (19.0%) demonstrated abnormal findings at the notch. In two of these 11 patients (18.2%), reconstruction was abandoned due to severe injury of the nerve. There was a higher rate of clavicular fractures in patients with SSN injuries at the notch, compared with no SSN injury at the notch (63.6 vs. 12.8%). Conclusion The dSAN to SSN transfer is a reliable reconstruction for restoration of shoulder external rotation and abduction. There is a high proportion of injuries to the nerve at the notch, which can be best appreciated from a posterior approach. The authors, therefore, advocate a posterior approach for this nerve transfer.

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