Clinical patterns of spontaneous recovery of paralyzed triceps brachii associated with C5 to C7 injuries of the brachial plexus

Some patients who sustain C5 to C7 nerve root injuries may demonstrate a natural recovery of elbow extension via the lower trunk; however the surgical effect of the reinnervation of the triceps brachii in such cases is still unknown. This study aims to determine the incidence of spontaneous recovery of the tricipital function and to identify the clinical and/or radiological predictors of poor spontaneous functional rehabilitation of elbow extension resulting from injuries of the upper roots of the brachial plexus. We conducted a review of the charts of 24 subjects sustaining an upper trunk syndrome with complete elbow extension palsy and who did not undergone any intervention for reinnervation of the triceps brachii in the primary brachial plexus surgery. Two years posttrauma, the muscle was scored as M0 in 12 patients (50%), M1 in 3 (12.5%), M2 in 1 (4.1%), M3 in 4 (16.6%), and M4 in 4 subjects (16.6%). The number of avulsed roots and the preoperative power of the latissimus dorsi did not demonstrate any significance in predicting the outcome of spontaneous elbow extension recovery; whereas the preoperative paralysis of the muscles for wrist extension was determined to be reliable predictive parameter for poor natural recovery of tricipital function.     

Oberlin's ulnar nerve transfer to the biceps motor nerve in obstetric brachial plexus palsy: indications, and good and bad results

We present 7 children with obstetric brachial plexus palsy treated by transferring two motor fascicles out of the ulnar nerve to the biceps nerve. Three were male, and 4 were female. The left-side brachial plexus was affected in 4 patients, and the right side in 3 patients. All children had vaginal delivery; two of them presented with shoulder dystocia. The average birth weight was 4300 g (range, 3620-5500 g). Average age at time of operation was 16 months (range, 11-24 months). The indication for the operation was absent active elbow flexion with active shoulder abduction against gravity in 4 cases, and no biceps function and bad shoulder function in 3 cases. Oberlin's ulnar nerve transfer was done in 4 cases without brachial plexus exploration in those children with good shoulder function, and exploration of the brachial plexus was performed in the other 3 cases with bad shoulder function. The average follow-up was 19 months (range, 13-30 months). Five children had biceps muscle >or=M(3) with active elbow flexion against gravity, and 2 children had biceps muscle 相似文献   

神经移位治疗臂丛上干根性撕脱伤

目的 阐明神经移位治疗臂丛上干根性撕脱伤的疗效。方法 1990年3月至1998年2月,对14例臂丛干根性撕脱伤患者,将同侧胸前外侧神经直接移位于腑神经,胸背神经直接移位于肌皮神经,以重建三角肌、肱三头肌功能。结果 术后随访1年以上,三角肌肌力8例恢复至M4,4例M3,2例为M3－;肱二头肌肌力14例均恢复至M4。结论 运用同侧胸前外侧神经、胸背神经移闰的方法治疗臂丛上干根性撕脱伤,疗效较好;对原有的臂丛中、下干神经的主要功能无明显影响。     

健侧C7椎体前移位联合多组神经移位治疗全臂丛神经根性撕脱伤

目的：探讨健侧C7神经根椎体前移位并联合多组神经移位治疗全臂丛神经根性撕脱伤的方法和疗效。方法对20例全臂丛根性撕脱伤患者采用健侧C7神经根、膈神经、副神经及健侧C7修复患侧下干后形成新的动力神经：臂内侧皮神经、前臂内侧皮神经、下干后股移位修复患侧下干、肌皮神经、肩胛上神经、腋神经、桡神经、正中神经内侧头。并进行长期随访,观察肩外展、屈肘、屈指和伸腕伸指及手部感觉功能恢复的情况。结果20例中有17例获得随访,随访时间20～72个月（平均38个月）。肩外展平均39°,有效率（肌力M2以上）71%,优良率（肌力在M3以上）59％;屈肘平均77°,有效率83%,优良率53％;屈指、屈拇功能恢复：10例指屈肌力≥M2,有效率为59%（10/17）,其中7例肌力≥M3,优良率为42%;伸肘恢复有效率（肌力M2以上）59%,优良率42%;伸指有效率47%,优良率36%。结论健侧C7神经根椎体前移位并联合多组神经移位治疗全臂丛神经根性撕脱伤是有效的治疗方法之一。     

Bilateral elbow flexion reconstruction with functioning free muscle transfer for obstetric brachial plexus palsy

A child suffered a bilateral obstetric brachial plexus palsy involving the C5 and C6 nerve roots. Abduction of the shoulder joints had recovered by 1 year, but elbow flexion did not recover on either side. Free gracilis muscle transfers were performed on both sides, at an interval of 6 months, to achieve elbow flexion. The spinal accessory nerve was used as the donor nerve.     

The radio-radial nerve transfer for elbow extension restoration in C5 to C7 nerve root injury

Extension of the elbow is required to oppose gravity; however, activation of the triceps brachii is frequently underestimated during the surgical planning for brachial plexus injuries. This report aims to describe a novel technique of distal nerve transfer designed for elbow extension reconstruction in patients sustaining a C5-C7 nerve root injury. We report a patient sustaining a brachial plexus injury with triceps palsy and preserved finger extension motion; after careful intraneural dissection of the radial nerve, a fascicle innervating the extensor digitorum communis muscle was sectioned, derouted and connected to a motor branch to the lateral head of the triceps. Eleven months after surgery, elbow extension strength scored MRC M4. No deficits on finger extension were observed.     

同侧C_7神经根移位后对其支配肌影响的初步观察

目的　观察C7神经移位后对C7神经根所支配肌肉功能的影响。方法　 1996年 2月至 2 0 0 0年 2月 ,对 7例臂丛上干或C5,6神经根损伤患者 ,均采用同侧C7神经根 (全部 )移位修复 ;并观察手术前、后背阔肌、肱三头肌及指总伸肌肌力及肌电的变化。术后 1周 7例 ,术后 4个月 6例 ,术后 1年 5例进行了肌力测定及肌电检查。结果　术后 1周背阔肌、肱三头肌及指总伸肌的肌力较术前均有所下降 ,下降幅度多在 1级以内。肌力的下降均呈可逆性 ,术后 4个月三块肌肉的肌力均已恢复正常。术后 3个时间组三块肌肉CMAP(复合肌肉动作电位 )的波幅、潜伏期和术前比无明显影响。结论　臂丛上干损伤采用同侧C7移位后 ,供区背阔肌肌力下降最明显 ,肱三头肌次之 ,指总伸肌最小。     

Use of intercostal nerves for neurotization of the musculocutaneous nerve in infants with birth-related brachial plexus palsy

OBJECT: The use of intercostal nerves (ICNs) for the neurotization of the musculocutaneous nerve (MCN) in adult patients with traumatic brachial plexus palsy has been well described. However, its use for brachial plexus palsy in infants has rarely been reported. The authors surgically created 31 ICN-MCN communications for birth-related brachial plexus palsy and present the surgical results. METHODS: Thirty-one neurotizations of the MCN, performed using ICNs, were conducted in 30 patients with birth-related brachial plexus palsy. In most cases other procedures were combined to reconstruct all upper-extremity function. The mean patient age at surgery was 5.8 months and the mean follow-up period was 5.2 years. Intercostal nerves were transected 1 cm distal to the mammary line and their stumps were transferred to the axilla, where they were coapted directly to the MCN. Two ICNs were used in 26 cases and three ICNs in five cases. The power of the biceps muscle of the arm was rated Grade M4 in 26 (84%) of 31 patients. In the 12 patients who underwent surgery when they were younger than 5 months of age, all exhibited a grade of M4 (100%) in their biceps muscle power. These results are better than those previously reported in adults. CONCLUSIONS: Neurotization of the MCN by surgically connecting ICNs is a safe, reliable, and effective procedure for reconstruction of the brachial plexus in patients suffering from birth-related palsy.     

Total obstetric brachial plexus palsy: Results and strategy of microsurgical reconstruction

From 2000 to 2006, 35 infants with total obstetric brachial plexus palsy underwent brachial plexus exploration and reconstruction. The mean age at surgery was 10.8 months (range 3–60 months), and the median age was 8 months. All infants were followed for at least 2.5 years (range 2.5–7.3 years) with an average follow‐up of 4.2 years. Assessment was performed using the Toronto Active Movement scale. Surgical procedures included neurolysis, neuroma excision and interposition nerve grafting and neurotization, using spinal accessory nerve, intercostals and contralateral C7 root. Satisfactory recovery was obtained in 37.1% of cases for shoulder abduction; 54.3% for shoulder external rotation; 75.1% for elbow flexion; 77.1% for elbow extension; 61.1% for finger flexion, 31.4% for wrist extension and 45.8% for fingers extension. Using the Raimondi score, 18 cases (53%) achieved a score of three or more (functional hand). The mean Raimondi score significantly improved postoperatively as compared to the preoperative mean: 2.73 versus 1, and showed negative significant correlation with age at surgery. In total, obstetrical brachial plexus palsy, early intervention is recommended. Intercostal neurotization is preferred for restoration of elbow flexion. Tendon transfer may be required to improve external rotation in selected cases. Apparently, intact C8 and T1 roots should be left alone if the patient has partial hand recovery, no Horner syndrome, and was operated early (3‐ or 4‐months old). Apparently, intact nonfunctioning lower roots with no response to electrical stimulation, especially in the presence of Horner syndrome, should be neurotized with the best available intraplexal donor. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. Microsurgery, 2010.     

肱三头肌及指总伸肌电生理支配权重分析在同侧C7神经根移位术中的临床意义

目的 分析在健侧C7神经根移位术中得出的臂丛神经各干对肱三头肌/指总伸肌的电生理支配权重,推断其对于同侧C7神经根移位术的影响,为探讨其安全性和适应证提供电生理依据.方法 随机选择2007年8月-2007年10月15例全臂丛神经根性撕脱伤,行健侧C7神经根移位的患者.男13例,女2例:年龄18～49岁,平均28岁.致伤原因:坠落伤1例,压砸伤2例,余均为车祸伤.左侧8例,右侧7例.术中依次刺激健侧臂丛神经上、中、下干,于肱三头肌/指总伸肌记录复合肌肉动作电位(compound muscle action potential,CMAP),比较各干的CMAP波幅所占百分比,确定臂丛神经各干对肱三头肌,指总伸肌的电生理支配权重.术后6个月内随访肱三头肌/指总伸肌肌力,并复查肌电图了解其自发电活动和主动募集反应情况.结果 15例患者均获随访6个月.肱三头肌的电生理支配权重:上中干型3例(20%),中下干型3例(20%),全干型7例(47%),中干型2例(13%);指总伸肌:中下干型3例(20%),全干型10例(67%),下干型2例(13%).肱三头肌:术后1个月,2例出现肱三头肌肌力4级,募集反应单纯相,至术后3个月恢复正常.余患者术后1个月肌力均达5级,募集反应单纯混合相或混合相.指总伸肌:术后1个月,患者肌力及募集反应均恢复正常.结论 对于各种电生理支配权重的患者,C7神经根的切取均不会造成肱三头肌和指总伸肌的实质性损害,同侧C7神经根移位术是安全可行的;但对于中干支配权重高的患者,采用同侧C7神经根全干移位应慎重,有可能造成肱三头肌短期内的肌力下降.     

Double muscle transfer for upper extremity reconstruction following complete avulsion of the brachial plexus

Recent interest in reconstruction of the upper limb following brachial plexus injuries has focused on the restoration of prehension following complete avulsion of the brachial plexus. The authors use free muscle transfers for reconstruction of the upper limb to resolve the difficult problems in complete avulsion of the brachial plexus. This article describes the authors' updated technique--the double free muscle procedure. Reconstruction of prehension to achieve independent voluntary finger and elbow flexion and extension by the use of double free muscle and multiple nerve transfers following complete avulsion of the brachial plexus (nerve roots C5 to T1) is presented. The procedure involves transferring the first free muscle, neurotized by the spinal accessory nerve for elbow flexion and finger extension, a second free muscle transfer reinnervated by the fifth and sixth intercostal nerves for finger flexion, and neurotization of the triceps brachii via its motor nerve by the third and fourth intercostal motor nerves to extend and stabilize the elbow. Restoration of hand sensibility is obtained via the suturing of sensory rami from the intercostal nerves to the median nerve. Secondary reconstruction, including arthrodesis of the carpometacarpal joint of the thumb and glenohumeral joint, and tenolysis of the transferred muscle and distal tendons, improve the functional outcome. Based on the long-term result, selection of the patient, donor muscle, and donor motor nerve were indicated. Most patients were able to achieve prehensile functions such as holding a can and lifting a heavy box. This double free muscle transfer has provided prehension for patients with complete avulsion of the brachial plexus and has given them new hope to be able to use their otherwise useless limbs.     

大鼠臂丛神经根吻合后脊髓病理改变和轴突再生的研究

目的 评价臂丛神经根椎孔外断裂后神经根直接吻合的可行性.方法 取4～6月龄SD大鼠48只,雌雄不限,体重250～300 g.手术分离左侧C5～7神经根至臂丛神经干部,于椎孔外根干交界部位切断C5～7神经根,切断后即刻吻合(实验侧);右侧不作处理(对照侧).术后观察大鼠一般情况,于术后3周,3、6个月取材,行大体、组织学观察及BDA神经示踪技术,观察肱二头肌湿重变化,脊髓前角α运动神经元和神经元内尼氏体数目及形态的改变,周围神经纤维再生数目、距离,轴索和髓鞘发育情况.结果 大鼠术后存活良好.实验侧术后呈跛行步态,出现展爪反射;3个月后展爪反射消失;对照侧正常.大体观察,实验侧术后6个月内神经粘连加重,吻合口两侧神经干干瘪,无光泽;对照侧正常.术后3周和3个月实验侧及对照侧肱二头肌湿重分别为(0.28±012)、(1.37±0.33)g和(0.58±0.10)、(1.36±0.35)g,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05);6个月时分别为(1.39±0.31)、(1.37±0.38)g,差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).实验侧脊髓和上干改良Marsland与LFB双重染色后观察脊髓内神经元数目减少,胞体由肿大到皱缩,细胞核和尼氏体减少;上干内染色完整的神经纤维逐渐增多,神经轴索较细,髓鞘淡染.术后3周、3个月、6个月实验侧脊髓前角α运动神经元数目分别为对照侧的84.5%±3.2%、74.4%±4.5%、73.7%±3.8%.实验侧肱二头肌HE染色观察术后3个月内变性明显,之后逐渐恢复;对照侧无明显变性.术后6个月神经纤维BDA染色观察:神经越靠近近端,髓鞘着色越明显,轴突越粗大:越靠近远端时情况相反,并可见到轴突中断.肌皮神经入肌点处偶见阳性标记的神经髓鞘和轴突.结论 臂丛神经根椎孔外断裂即刻吻合后,脊髓前角α运动神经元坏死比率为20%～30%,残存神经元多为受损神经元,再生神经纤维表现为动力不足和发育不全,对终末器官功能恢复无意义.肱二头肌恢复机制有待进一步研究.     

选择性臂丛神经根切断术治疗痉挛性脑瘫的实验研究

目的 探讨选择性臂丛神经根切断术治疗上肢痉挛性脑瘫疗效的研究。方法 ＳＤ大鼠１６只,分为实验组和对照组,每组８只。用脑立体定位技术,选择性毁损左侧锥体束,造成大鼠中枢性痉挛瘫痪模型。实验组：切断右侧Ｃ６神经根,而对照组不切断。分别在术前、麻醉清醒后、术后４８ｈ、术后１周等４个时间组,检测大鼠右侧肱二头肌的肌痉挛电位,比较两组肌痉挛电位的最大波幅和持续时间。结果 在大鼠中枢性痉挛性瘫痪模型上行单根臂丛神经根切断,可有效地解除相应肌肉的痉挛。结论 选择性臂丛神经根切断术治疗脑瘫引起的上肢痉摩是一种有效的手术方法,远期疗效尚有待观察。     

联合尺神经束支和臂丛外神经移位治疗臂丛损伤

目的 观察联合尺神经束支和臂丛外神经移位治疗臂丛损伤的临床效果.方法 臂丛损伤6例,其中单纯上干损伤4例;上中干为主,合并下干部分损伤2例.伤后平均2.8个月接受手术.术式包括尺神经部分束支转位至肌皮神经肱二头肌肌支,膈神经或者副神经斜方肌支转位至肩胛上神经,桡神经肱三头肌长头肌支转位修复腋神经肌支.用肱二头肌、岗上肌和三角肌肌力,肩外展和上举角度,尺神经功能损失等指标对手术方式和效果进行评估.结果 6例中5例得到随访,平均随访时间18个月,肱二头肌均在术后3～4个月开始恢复肌力.随访时间18个月以上的4例屈肘M_4~+～M_5;随访时间4个月的1例屈肘M_3~+.其中3例行外展功能重建,单用膈神经修复的病例上臂可上举至180°,外展肌力M_4~+;联合副神经和肱三头肌长头肌支修复的病例上肢可外展90°,肌力M_4~-;单用副神经修复的病例上肢可外展80°,肌力M_3~+.3例手部握持力与术前相同,2例增强.4例手部尺神经供区功能无明显影响,1例小指掌侧皮肤感觉减退,第一骨间背侧肌萎缩.结论 尺神经部分束支转位修复肱二头肌支可以有效的恢复臂丛损伤后屈肘功能;用膈神经修复肩胛上神经可能取得更好的肩外展和上举效果;本组臂丛下干部分损伤的病例受伤均在3个月内,采用此术式同样恢复了肱二头肌功能,未加重原有的手功能障碍.     

Contralateral C7 nerve root transfer to neurotize the upper trunk via a modified prespinal route in repair of brachial plexus avulsion injury

Purpose: In this report, we present our experience on the repair of brachial plexus root avulsion injuries with the use of contralateral C7 nerve root transfers with nerve grafting through a modified prespinal route. Methods: The outcomes of the contralateral C7 nerve root transfer to neurotize the upper trunk and C5/C6 nerve roots of the total or near total brachial plexus nerve root avulsion injury in a series of 41 patients were evaluated. The contralateral C7 nerve root that was dissected to the distal end of the divisions, along with the sural nerve graft, were placed underneath the anterior scalene and longus colli muscles, and then passed through the retro‐esophageal space to neurotize the recipient nerve. The mean length of the dissected contralateral C7 nerve root was 6.5 ± 0.7 cm, and the mean length of sural nerve graft was 6.8 ± 1.9 cm. The suprascapular nerve was neurotized additionally by the phrenic nerve or the terminal motor branch of accessory nerve in some patients. Results: The mean length of the follow‐up was 47.2 ± 14.5 months. The muscle strength was graded M4 or M3 for the biceps muscle in 85.4% of patients, for the deltoid muscle in 82.9% of patients, and for the upper parts of pectoral major in 92.7% of patients. The functional recovery of shoulder abduction in the patients with the additional suprascapular nerve neurotization was remarkably improved. Conclusions: The modified prespinal route could significantly reduced the length of nerve graft in the contralateral C7 nerve root transfer to the injured upper trunk in brachial plexus root avulsion injury, and it may improve the functional outcomes, which deserves further investigations. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery, 2012.     

膈神经移位接上干前股的解剖与临床研究

目的 通过对肌皮神经肱二头肌肌支的解剖学研究,为臂丛损伤后设计应用膈神经移接手臂丛上干前肌恢复屈肘功能的新术式。方法 对１０具２０侧尸体上肢的肱二头肌肌支作逆行解剖,观察其在上干前肌内的定位。对２１例臂丛损伤患者,将膈神经移接于上干前肌,并观察其疗效。结果 解剖学研究：肱二头肌肌支位于上干前股前外侧及前正中束组,其横截面积占上干前股横截面积的３４％ＲＲ。２１例患者屈肘功能恢复的总有效率达８０．９５     

对臂丛神经节前损伤后行神经移位肌内种植术的评价

对移位神经肌内种植术治疗臂丛节前损伤的疗效作一评价。方法：１９９０年间共手术治疗臂丛神经损伤３０２例。其中１０例，术中发现不仅臂丛神经根性撕脱，而且神经远瑞缺损；选用膈、副、肋间、颈丛运动支作为移位神经，经神经移植种植于三角肌５块，肱二头肌４块，肱三头肌１块，胸大肌１块。术后４年进行随访，检测其有关肌肉肌力的恢复程度。结果：肌力恢复２度６块，１度３块，０度２块。结论：该法的治疗效果欠佳，有待进一步提高     

椎管内修复臂丛神经损伤的解剖及临床应用研究

目的观察通过打开椎管找到残存的臂丛神经根并进行神经修复的可行性。方法甲醛溶液固定的成人尸体标本15具30侧，测量C5-T1，神经前根椎间孔段的直径、长度和有髓神经纤维计数。选择5例臂丛神经损伤患者，2例为椎孔处刀刺伤，3例为闭合性创伤。自受伤到椎管内探查的时间为3-6个月，平均4个月。CTM显示部分已损伤的神经根其椎管内神经前后根仍存在，而锁骨上臂丛神经探查在椎间孔外找不到相应的具有正常结构的神经根近端，通过打开椎管将椎管内残存的神经根用腓肠神经桥接进行神经修复。结果C5-T1，神经前根的有髓神经纤维数目为4000-6000根，椎间孔段的长度为11～14mm，外径为1．2～1．5mm。5例患者的椎管内均找到了具有正常结构的神经根近端，其中C5神经根3例，C5、C6神经根1例，C7神经根1例。C5修复肩胛上神经和C5神经远端各1例，C5修复正中神经内侧头1例，C7修复内侧束1例，C5、C6分别修复上干后股、肌皮神经1例。术后随访38--46个月，平均42个月。5例患者其修复神经所支配肌肉的肌力分别达3-4级。结论对于神经根在椎间孔处断裂的臂丛神经损伤，可通过打开椎管找到损伤神经根的近端，为臂丛神经根性损伤的修复提供理想的动力神经源，有利于臂丛神经治疗效果的提高。     

Cross-chest radial nerve transfer in brachial plexus injuries. Experimental and anatomical basis

Brachial plexus avulsion injuries are devastating injuries to the upper limb, and nerve transfer remains the only option in reconstruction. Despite the encouraging results concerning recovery of shoulder and elbow function, no option is available for treatment of the paralytic hand. In rats, we sectioned the radial nerve in the elbow region and transferred it across the chest to reinnervate the lesioned contralateral medial cord of the brachial plexus. Rats were then evaluated for motor and sensory recovery, electrophysiologically, behaviorally and morphologically. Forepaw functional recovery was estimated to be 90%. In cadavers, the radial nerve and profunda brachii artery were dissected. It was observed that the radial nerve vascularized by the profunda brachii artery was able to reach the contralateral brachial plexus distal to the shoulder region without nerve grafts. After sectioning the radial nerve, sensory loss is minimal and motor palsy can be easily restored by tendon transfers. The results of tendon transfer for radial nerve palsy are better than for any other nerve. Cross-chest radial nerve transfer might be of clinical interest in the reconstruction of hand function in entire injury to the brachial plexus.     

新生儿臂丛上半椎韧带的组织学与生物力学研究

目的 研究新生儿臂丛根部上半椎韧带的组织学和生物力学特性,以了解产瘫损伤机制的特殊性并指导临床实践.方法 ①在6具新鲜新生儿尸体标本上取双侧C5-7神经根的上半椎韧带,行HE及Mallory胶原三色染色观察,并计算胶原纤维面积比.②在4具新鲜新生儿尸体标本中检测双侧C<5-7神经根上半椎韧带的断裂强度.结果 ①C7神经根上半椎韧带内胶原纤维面积比(41.5%±10.0%)小于C5(51.1%±10.5%)、C<6(50.7%±10.8%),差异均有统计学意义(P值分别为0.032和0.039).在G<5、C6上半椎韧带与横突附着处有大量Sharpey纤维而C7上半椎韧带Sharpey纤维稀少.②C7神经根上半椎韧带的断裂强度[(5.03±1.05)N]明显低于C5(6.47±1.12)N]、C6[(6.23±1.21)N](P值分别为0.019和0.046),C5、C6之间差异无统计学意义(P=0.678).结论 新生儿C7上半椎韧带薄弱造成的抗张强度较低,是产瘫患儿C7神经根容易发生撕脱性损伤的主要原因.