In:
Neurosurgery, Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health), Vol. 50, No. 2 ( 2002-02-01), p. 332-335
Abstract:
In multiple avulsions of the brachial plexus, the search for extraplexal donor nerves in the hope of achieving motor neurotization is a major goal. We explored the possibility of using the hypoglossal nerve as a transfer point to reanimate muscles in the upper limb. METHODS The hypoglossal nerve was used as a donor nerve for neurotization in seven patients with avulsive injuries of the brachial plexus. The surgical technique—an end-to-side microsuture using approximately half of the nerve fascicles—is basically the same as that used in the hypoglossal nerve-facial nerve jump graft, which is a well-known technique in facial nerve reanimation. The recipient nerves were the suprascapular (two patients), the musculocutaneous (one patient), the posterior division of the upper trunk (two patients), and the medial contribution to the median nerve (two patients). RESULTS In spite of a connection documented by electromyography and selective activation in three of seven patients, the functional results in our patients were extremely disappointing: no patient had an outcome better than M1 in the reinnervated muscles. CONCLUSION This technique was of no help to the patients and thus has been abandoned at our institution.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
0148-396X
,
1524-4040
DOI:
10.1097/00006123-200202000-00016
Language:
English
Publisher:
Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Publication Date:
2002
detail.hit.zdb_id:
1491894-8
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