Patterns of median nerve branching in the cubital fossa: implications for nerve transfers to restore motor function in a paralyzed upper limb

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Jayme A. Bertelli ◽  
Neehar Patel ◽  
Francisco Soldado ◽  
Elisa Cristiana Winkelmann Duarte
Keyword(s):  
Median Nerve ◽  
Nerve Transfer ◽  
Flexor Digitorum Profundus ◽  
Medial Branch ◽  
Flexor Digitorum Superficialis ◽  
Pronator Quadratus ◽  
Motor Branch ◽  
Cubital Fossa ◽  
Flexor Digitorum ◽  
Single Branch

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to describe the anatomy of donor and recipient median nerve motor branches for nerve transfer surgery within the cubital fossa. METHODS Bilateral upper limbs of 10 fresh cadavers were dissected after dyed latex was injected into the axillary artery. RESULTS In the cubital fossa, the first branch was always the proximal branch of the pronator teres (PPT), whereas the last one was the anterior interosseous nerve (AIN) and the distal motor branch of the flexor digitorum superficialis (DFDS) on a consistent basis. The PT muscle was also innervated by a distal branch (DPT), which emerged from the anterior side of the median nerve and provided innervation to its deep head. The palmaris longus (PL) motor branch was always the second branch after the PPT, emerging as a single branch together with the flexor carpi radialis (FCR) or the proximal branch of the flexor digitorum superficialis. The FCR motor branch was prone to variations. It originated proximally with the PL branch (35%) or distally with the AIN (35%), and less frequently from the DPT. In 40% of dissections, the FDS was innervated by a single branch (i.e., the DFDS) originating close to the AIN. In 60% of cases, a proximal branch originated together with the PL or FCR. The AIN emerged from the posterior side of the median nerve and had a diameter of 2.3 mm, twice that of other branches. When dissections were performed between the PT and FCR muscles at the FDS arcade, we observed the AIN lying lateral and the DFDS medial to the median nerve. After crossing the FDS arcade, the AIN divided into: 1) a lateral branch to the flexor pollicis longus (FPL), which bifurcated to reach the anterior and posterior surfaces of the FPL; 2) a medial branch, which bifurcated to reach the flexor digitorum profundus (FDP); and 3) a long middle branch to the pronator quadratus. The average numbers of myelinated fibers within each median nerve branch were as follows (values expressed as the mean ± SD): PPT 646 ± 249; DPT 599 ± 150; PL 259 ± 105; FCR 541 ± 199; proximal FDS 435 ± 158; DFDS 376 ± 150; FPL 480 ± 309; first branch to the FDP 397 ± 12; and second branch to the FDP 369 ± 33. CONCLUSIONS The median nerve's branching pattern in the cubital fossa is predictable. The most important variation involves the FCR motor branch. These anatomical findings aid during nerve transfer surgery to restore function when paralysis results from injury to the radial or median nerves, brachial plexus, or spinal cord.

scholarly journals Median Nerve Variation: A Complete Spin before Terminal Branching

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (01) ◽  
pp. e1-e4
Author(s):  
Amgad S. Hanna ◽  
Zhikui Wei ◽  
Barbara A. Hanna
Keyword(s):  
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome ◽  
Median Nerve ◽  
Carpal Tunnel ◽  
Distal Forearm ◽  
Flexor Digitorum Superficialis ◽  
Anatomical Variant ◽  
Motor Branch ◽  
Surgical Interventions ◽  
Tunnel Syndrome ◽  
Flexor Digitorum

AbstractMedian nerve anatomy is of great interest to clinicians and scientists given the importance of this nerve and its association with diseases. A rare anatomical variant of the median nerve in the distal forearm and wrist was discovered during a cadaveric dissection. The median nerve was deep to the flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS) in the carpal tunnel. It underwent a 360-degree spin before emerging at the lateral edge of FDS. The recurrent motor branch moved from medial to lateral on the deep surface of the median nerve, as it approached the distal carpal tunnel. This variant doesn't fall into any of Lanz's four groups of median nerve anomalies. We propose a fifth group that involves variations in the course of the median nerve. This report underscores the importance of recognizing variants of the median nerve anatomy in the forearm and wrist during surgical interventions, such as for carpal tunnel syndrome.

Neurotization as an alternative for restoring finger and wrist extension

2001 ◽  
Vol 94 (5) ◽  
pp. 795-798 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mehmet Erkan Üstün ◽  
Tunç Cevat Öğün ◽  
Mustafa Büyükmumcu
Keyword(s):  
Median Nerve ◽  
Motor Nerve ◽  
Flexor Digitorum Profundus ◽  
Posterior Interosseous Nerve ◽  
Flexor Pollicis Longus ◽  
Pronator Quadratus ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Pronator Teres ◽  
Flexor Digitorum ◽  
Fine Print

Object. In cases of irreparable injuries to the radial nerve or in cases in which nerves are repaired with little anticipation of restoration of function, tendon transfers are widely used. In this study, the authors searched for a more natural alternative for selectively restoring function, with the aid of a motor nerve transfer. Methods. Ten arms from five cadavers were used in the study. The posterior interosseous nerve and the median nerve together with their motor branches were exposed in the proximal forearm. The possibility of posterior interosseous nerve neurotization via the median nerve through its motor branches leading to the pronator teres, flexor pollicis longus, flexor digitorum profundus, and pronator quadratus muscles was investigated. The lengths of the nerves from points of divergence and their widths were measured using calipers, and the means with standard deviations of all nerves were calculated. Motor branches to the pronator teres, flexor pollicis longus, and pronator quadratus muscles were found to be suitable for neurotization of the posterior interosseous nerve at different levels and in various combinations. The motor nerve extending to the flexor digitorum profundus muscle was too short to use for transfer. Conclusions. These results offer a suitable alternative to tendon transfer for restoring finger and wrist extension in cases of irreversible radial palsy. The second step would be clinical verification in appropriate cases.

Anterior Interosseous Neuropathy in Instrumental Musicians

2006 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 137-141
Author(s):  
Richard J Lederman
Keyword(s):  
Index Finger ◽  
Age At Onset ◽  
Flexor Digitorum Profundus ◽  
Left Index Finger ◽  
Pronator Quadratus ◽  
Motor Branch ◽  
Neuralgic Amyotrophy ◽  
Electrodiagnostic Testing ◽  
The Right ◽  
Flexor Digitorum

The anterior interosseous nerve is a pure motor branch of the median nerve supplying the flexor pollicis longus, flexor digitorum profundus of the index and middle fingers, and pronator quadratus. Anterior interosseous neuropathy is rare and typically causes weakness of flexion of the tips of the thumb and index finger. Four instrumentalists, 3 violinists and 1 pianist (3 males, 1 female), seen from 1986 to 2002 at our clinic, are the subjects of this report. Age at onset ranged from 16 to 76 yrs. A possible precipitating factor was identified in each. One violinist could not hold the bow; two others noted inability to stabilize the distal left first (index) finger. The pianist noted impaired dexterity of the right hand. Examination showed weakness of flexion of the distal phalanx of the index finger and thumb and variable weakness of forearm pronation. Electrodiagnostic testing confirmed the diagnosis in all four patients. All improved over time. One symphony violinist continued to play for over 15 yrs, despite some persisting difficulty with the left index finger. Another violinist recovered function almost completely but suffered a stroke affecting the opposite hand 2.5 years later. The third violinist retired from the symphony on disability because his recovery was delayed for >1 yr. The young pianist is playing 4 to 5 hrs/day. It is likely that at least three of the four had a localized form of neuralgic amyotrophy.

A Cadaveric Study of Needle Insertion at Pc6 in Eight Wrists of Four Subjects and An Understanding of the Anatomy

2012 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 44-46 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hyun Joo Oh ◽  
Yee Kyoung Ko ◽  
Sa Sun Cho ◽  
Sang Pil Yoon
Keyword(s):  
Median Nerve ◽  
Clinical Importance ◽  
Acupuncture Point ◽  
Anatomical Variations ◽  
Needle Insertion ◽  
Flexor Digitorum Profundus ◽  
Pronator Quadratus ◽  
Adjacent Structures ◽  
Median Artery ◽  
Flexor Digitorum

The anatomical structures vulnerable to acupuncture around the PC6 acupuncture point were investigated. Needles were inserted in PC6 of eight wrists from four cadavers to a depth of 2 cm, the forearms were dissected and the adjacent structures around the path of the needles were observed. The needles passed between the tendons of the palmaris longus and flexor carpi radialis muscles and then penetrated the flexor digitorum superficialis, flexor digitorum profundus and pronator quadratus muscles. The inserted needles were located adjacent to the median nerve. To minimise the risk of unintended injury by acupuncture, it is recommended that needles should not be inserted deeply at the PC6 acupuncture point. An understanding of the anatomical variations of the median nerve and the persistent median artery in the forearm is of clinical importance when performing acupuncture procedures.

OUTCOME OF TRACTION TENOLYSIS IN OPEN TRIGGER FINGER RELEASE — A RETROSPECTIVE REVIEW

Hand Surgery ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 18 (03) ◽  
pp. 375-379 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muntasir Mannan Choudhury ◽  
Shian Chao Tay
Keyword(s):  
Flexor Tendon ◽  
Group Versus ◽  
Trigger Finger ◽  
Flexor Digitorum Profundus ◽  
Flexor Digitorum Superficialis ◽  
Active Motion ◽  
Total Active Motion ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Flexor Digitorum ◽  
A1 Pulley

Surgical treatment for trigger finger involves division of the A1 pulley. Some surgeons perform an additional step of traction tenolysis by sequentially bringing the flexor digitorum superficialis and flexor digitorum profundus tendons out of the wound gently with a Ragnell retractor. There is currently no study which states whether flexor tendon traction tenolysis should be routinely performed or not. The objective of this study is to compare the outcome in patients who have traction tenolysis performed (A group) versus those who did not have traction tenolysis (B group) performed. It was noted that even though the mean total active motion (TAM) for the B group in our study was lower preoperatively, it was consistently higher than the A group in all the 3 post-operative visits demonstrating a better outcome in the B group. Even though it was not statistically significant, our data also showed that patients with traction tenolysis appeared to have more postoperative pain compared to those without.

Sliding Position of the Flexor Tendons Relative to the Hook of Hamate in CT Scans

2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (01) ◽  
pp. 72-75
Author(s):  
Kenji Goto ◽  
Kiyohito Naito ◽  
Yoichi Sugiyama ◽  
Nana Nagura ◽  
Ayaka Kaneko ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Flexor Tendon ◽  
Tendon Injury ◽  
Ct Scans ◽  
Flexor Digitorum Profundus ◽  
Flexor Digitorum Superficialis ◽  
Ulnar Side ◽  
Flexor Tendon Injury ◽  
Hook Of Hamate ◽  
Flexor Digitorum ◽  
Little Finger

Background: The aim of this study was to assess the height of nonunion formation injuring the ulnar-side finger flexor tendon, the positional relationship between the hook of the hamate and little finger flexor tendon was evaluated on CT scans. Methods: The subjects were 20 healthy patients (40 hands) (14 males and 6 females, mean age: 28 years old). Their hands were imaged in extension and flexion of the fingers on CT. The position of the little finger flexor tendon was determined regarding the height of the hook of the hamate as 100%. Results: The heights of the flexor digitorum profundus tendons were 46 ± 6% in extension and 44 ± 9% in flexion, and those of the flexor digitorum superficialis tendons were 87 ± 8% in extension and 91 ± 9% in flexion. Conclusions: Our study suggested that 40% of the base of the hook of the hamate does not contact with the flexor tendon, suggesting that flexor tendon injury is unlikely to occur in that region.

scholarly journals Bilateral Variation of Forearm Flexor Muscles - A Case Report and Clinical Significance

2012 ◽  
Vol 01 (01) ◽  
pp. 040-043
Author(s):  
D. Malar ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Middle Finger ◽  
Flexor Digitorum Profundus ◽  
Flexor Digitorum Superficialis ◽  
Flexor Carpi Ulnaris ◽  
Close Proximity ◽  
Flexor Muscles ◽  
Male Cadaver ◽  
Forearm Flexor Muscles ◽  
Flexor Digitorum ◽  
Forearm Flexor

AbstractDuring routine dissection, bilateral multiple variations of forearm flexor muscles were observed in a male cadaver. The variations were a) an additional belly arising from the coronoid process of ulna, distal to the origin of ulnar head of flexor digitorum superficialis, passing deep to flexor digitorum superficialis and joining the tendon of flexor digitorum profundus to the middle finger; b) an additional belly arising from the distal part of flexor carpi ulnaris and passing superficial to ulnar nerve and ulnar vessels in the Guyon's canal and c) the origin of second lumbricals from the profundus tendon in the carpal tunnel. An aberrant muscle may stimulate a ganglion or a soft tissue tumor or if in close proximity to a nerve, it may cause pressure neuritis. Identification of these variations is important in defining the anatomical features for clinical diagnosis and surgical procedures.

Anterior interosseous nerve compression after supracondylar fracture of the humerus: a metaanalysis

1999 ◽  
Vol 90 (6) ◽  
pp. 1053-1056 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander Joist ◽  
Uwe Joosten ◽  
Dirk Wetterkamp ◽  
Michael Neuber ◽  
Axel Probst ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Index Finger ◽  
Interphalangeal Joint ◽  
Nerve Compression ◽  
Flexor Digitorum Profundus ◽  
Pronator Quadratus ◽  
Motor Branch ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Anterior Interosseous Nerve ◽  
Anterior Interosseous Nerve Syndrome ◽  
Fine Print

Object. The authors conducted a metaanalysis of reports of anterior interosseous nerve syndrome, a rare nerve compression neuropathy that affects only the motor branch of the median nerve. This syndrome is characterized by paralysis of the flexor pollicis longus, the flexor digitorum profundus to the index finger, and the pronator quadratus, with weakness on flexion of the interphalangeal joint of the thumb and the distal interphalangeal joint of the index finger without sensory loss.Methods. The authors reviewed reports of 34 cases of anterior interosseous nerve syndrome combined with supracondylar fractures of the humerus in children. They have added a new case identified in a 7-year-old boy in whom a diagnosis was made from the clinical findings and whose treatment and outcome are analyzed. The ages of patients reported in the literature ranged from 4 to 10 years. Ten patients (29%) were treated with closed reduction and application of a cast, whereas 25 patients (71%) were treated with open reduction and fixation of the fracture.Conclusions. All patients regained full flexion and strength after 4 to 17 weeks. The fractures that were surgically treated showed no entrapment of the anterior interosseous nerve.

Flexor digitorum profundus with or without flexor digitorum superficialis tendon repair in acute Zone 2B injuries

2020 ◽  
Vol 45 (10) ◽  
pp. 1034-1044
Author(s):  
Ahmed F. Sadek
Keyword(s):  
Tendon Repair ◽  
Flexion Contracture ◽  
Flexor Digitorum Profundus ◽  
Flexor Digitorum Superficialis ◽  
Level Of Evidence ◽  
Power Grip ◽  
Contralateral Hand ◽  
Flexor Digitorum ◽  
Flexor Digitorum Profundus Tendon

A total of 53 patients with complete cuts of two flexor tendons in Zone 2B treated over a 9-year period was reviewed. Twenty-three patients (28 fingers) had only flexor digitorum profundus repair, while 30 patients (36 fingers) had both flexor digitorum profundus and flexor digitorum superficialis repairs, with a mean follow-up of 21 months (range 12–84). The decision to repair the flexor digitorum superficialis was made according to intraoperative judgement of ease of repair and gliding of the flexor digitorum profundus tendon. Two groups of patients showed no significant differences in total range of active or passive digital motion and power grip percentage to the contralateral hand. However, the values of power grip were statistically superior in the patients with both tendons repaired. The patients after flexor digitorum profundus-only repairs showed significantly greater but still mild flexion contracture (mean 20 °) of the operated digits. The Tang gradings were the same with 89% good and excellent rates in both groups. The conclusion is that although repair of both flexor digitorum profundus and flexor digitorum superficialis tendons is slightly more preferable based on increased grip strength, the repair of the flexor digitorum superficialis together with flexor digitorum profundus is not mandatory. Whether or not to repair flexor digitorum superficialis is an intraoperative decision based on the ease of gliding of the repaired tendon(s). Level of evidence: III

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