Xu WD, Lu JZ, Qiu YQ, Jiang S, Xu L, Xu JG, Gu YD
Hand prehension recovery after brachial plexus avulsion injury by performing a full-length phrenic nerve transfer via endoscopic thoracic surgery. [Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't]
J Neurosurg 2008 Jun; 108(6):1215-9.
OBJECT: The functional recovery of hand prehension after complete brachial plexus avulsion injury (BPAI) remains an unsolved problem. The authors conducted a prospective study to elucidate a new method of resolving this injury.
METHODS: Three patients with BPAI underwent a new procedure during which the full-length phrenic nerve was transferred to the medial root of the median nerve via endoscopic thoracic surgery support. All 3 patients were followed up for a postoperative period of > 3 years.
RESULTS: The power of the palmaris longus, flexor pollicis longus, and the flexor digitorum muscles of all 4 fingers reached Grade 3-4/5, and no symptoms of respiratory insufficiency occurred.
CONCLUSIONS: Neurotization of the phrenic nerve to the medial root of the median nerve via endoscopic thoracic surgery is a feasible means of early hand prehension recovery after complete BPAI.
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