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Sporer ME, Brugger PC, Aman M, Fuchssteiner CF, Festin C, Gstoettner C, Aszmann OC. Fascicular shifting in the reconstruction of brachial plexus injuries: an anatomical and clinical evaluation. J Neurosurg 2023; 139:544-553. [PMID: 36681968 DOI: 10.3171/2022.11.jns221312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Until recently, autologous sensory nerve grafting has remained the gold-standard technique in peripheral nerve reconstruction. However, there are several disadvantages to these grafts, such as donor site morbidity, limited availability, and a qualitative mismatch. Building on this shortage, a new concept, the fascicular shift procedure, was proposed and successfully demonstrated nerve regeneration in a rat nerve injury model. This approach involves harvesting a fascicular group distal to a peripheral nerve injury and shifting it to bridge the defect. The present study aimed to evaluate the clinical applicability of this technique in brachial plexus reconstruction. METHODS The supra- and infraclavicular nerves of the brachial plexus were bilaterally explored in 18 formalin-fixed cadaveric specimens. Following dissection, their fascicular shifting potential was evaluated. The medial antebrachial cutaneous and sural nerves were investigated and used as references for the required cross-sectional area of potential nerve grafts. Furthermore, 29 brachial plexus injuries, which qualified for surgical repair, were subjected to retrospective analysis. The intraoperatively measured lengths of the harvested and ultimately transplanted nerve grafts served as a basis to assess graft requirements in brachial plexus lesions. RESULTS The transplanted nerve grafts measured a total length of 51.9 ± 28.1 cm in brachial plexus injuries. The individual inserted nerve grafts averaged 10.3 ± 5.1 cm. In the anatomical exploration, the ulnar and median nerves qualified for fascicular shifting. Their fascicular graft lengths measured 26.6 ± 2.5 cm and 24.8 ± 5.2 cm, respectively. The long thoracic, suprascapular, musculocutaneous, thoracodorsal, and axillary nerves were not suitable for fascicular shifting. The sensory graft length of the medial antebrachial cutaneous nerve measured 20.6 ± 3.4 cm. CONCLUSIONS In the surgical reconstruction of brachial plexus injuries, fascicular shifting of the ulnar and median nerves provides sufficient donor material. Even though potential donor length is limited in the radial nerve, it may still help to expand the surgical armamentarium in selected clinical scenarios. Overall, the fascicular shift procedure presents a novel alternative to allow modality-matched grafting in the reconstruction of large proximal nerve defects and was found to be an attractive option in brachial plexus reconstruction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthias E Sporer
- 1Clinical Laboratory for Bionic Extremity Reconstruction, Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Medical University of Vienna
| | - Peter C Brugger
- 2Division of Anatomy, Center for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Martin Aman
- 1Clinical Laboratory for Bionic Extremity Reconstruction, Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Medical University of Vienna
- 3Department of Hand-, Plastic- and Reconstructive Surgery, Burn Center, BG Trauma Center Ludwigshafen, University of Heidelberg, Ludwigshafen, Germany; and
| | - Christoph F Fuchssteiner
- 2Division of Anatomy, Center for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Christopher Festin
- 1Clinical Laboratory for Bionic Extremity Reconstruction, Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Medical University of Vienna
| | - Clemens Gstoettner
- 1Clinical Laboratory for Bionic Extremity Reconstruction, Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Medical University of Vienna
- 4Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Oskar C Aszmann
- 1Clinical Laboratory for Bionic Extremity Reconstruction, Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Medical University of Vienna
- 4Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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Wachs RA, Wellman SM, Porvasnik SL, Lakes EH, Cornelison RC, Song YH, Allen KD, Schmidt CE. Apoptosis-Decellularized Peripheral Nerve Scaffold Allows Regeneration across Nerve Gap. Cells Tissues Organs 2022; 212:512-522. [PMID: 36030771 DOI: 10.1159/000525704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2022] [Accepted: 06/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Peripheral nerve injury results in loss of motor and sensory function distal to the nerve injury and is often permanent in nerve gaps longer than 5 cm. Autologous nerve grafts (nerve autografts) utilize patients' own nerve tissue from another part of their body to repair the defect and are the gold standard in care. However, there is a limited autologous tissue supply, size mismatch between donor nerve and injured nerve, and morbidity at the site of nerve donation. Decellularized cadaveric nerve tissue alleviates some of these limitations and has demonstrated success clinically. We previously developed an alternative apoptosis-assisted decellularization process for nerve tissue. This new process may result in an ideal scaffold for peripheral nerve regeneration by gently removing cells and antigens while preserving delicate topographical cues. In addition, the apoptosis-assisted process requires less active processing time and is inexpensive. This study examines the utility of apoptosis-decellularized peripheral nerve scaffolds compared to detergent-decellularized peripheral nerve scaffolds and isograft controls in a rat nerve gap model. Results indicate that, at 8 weeks post-injury, apoptosis-decellularized peripheral nerve scaffolds perform similarly to detergent-decellularized and isograft controls in both functional (muscle weight recovery, gait analysis) and histological measures (neurofilament staining, macrophage infiltration). These new apoptosis-decellularized scaffolds hold great promise to provide a less expensive scaffold for nerve injury repair, with the potential to improve nerve regeneration and functional outcomes compared to current detergent-decellularized scaffolds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca A Wachs
- J. Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
- Department of Biological Systems Engineering, University of Nebraska - Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska, USA
| | - Steven M Wellman
- J. Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Stacy L Porvasnik
- J. Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Emily H Lakes
- J. Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - R Chase Cornelison
- J. Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Young Hye Song
- J. Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA
| | - Kyle D Allen
- J. Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Christine E Schmidt
- J. Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
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Chen J, Qin B, Wang H, Fang J, Yang J, Gu L. Functional outcome of contralateral C7 nerve transfer combined with free functional gracilis transplantation to repair total brachial plexus avulsion: a report of thirty-nine cases. INTERNATIONAL ORTHOPAEDICS 2022; 46:1053-1062. [PMID: 35113187 PMCID: PMC9001549 DOI: 10.1007/s00264-021-05108-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2020] [Accepted: 06/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Purpose Treatment of total brachial plexus avulsion (TBPA) is a challenge in the clinic, especially the restoration of hand function. The current main surgical order is from proximal to distal joints. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the outcomes of “distal to proximal” surgical method. Methods Thirty-nine patients underwent contralateral C7 (CC7) nerve transfer to directly repair the lower trunk (CC7-LT) and phrenic nerve transfer to the suprascapular nerve (PN-SSN) during the first stage, followed by free functional gracilis transplantation (FFGT) for elbow flexion and finger extension. Muscle strength of upper limb, degree of shoulder abduction and elbow flexion, and Semmes–Weinstein monofilament test and static two-point discrimination of the hand were examined according to the modified British Medical Research Council (mBMRC) scoring system. Results The results showed that motor recovery reached a level of M3 + or greater in 66.7% of patients for shoulder abduction, 87.2% of patients for elbow flexion, 48.7% of patients for finger extension, and 25.6% of patients for finger flexion. The mean shoulder abduction angle was 45.5° (range 0–90°), and the average elbow flexion angle was 107.2° (range 0–142°), with 2.5 kg average flexion strength (range 0.5–5 kg). In addition, protective sensibility (≥ S2) was found to be achieved in 71.8% of patients. Conclusion In reconstruction of TBPA, CC7 transfer combined with free functional gracilis transplantation is an available treatment method. It could help patients regain shoulder joint stability and the function of elbow flexion and finger extension and, more importantly, provide finger sensation and partial finger flexion function. However, the pick-up function was unsatisfied, which needed additional surgery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianping Chen
- Department of Orthopedic Trauma and Microsurgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510008, China
| | - Bengang Qin
- Department of Orthopedic Trauma and Microsurgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510008, China
| | - Honggang Wang
- Department of Orthopedic Trauma and Microsurgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510008, China
| | - Jintao Fang
- Department of Orthopedic Trauma and Microsurgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510008, China
| | - Jiantao Yang
- Department of Orthopedic Trauma and Microsurgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510008, China.
| | - Liqiang Gu
- Department of Orthopedic Trauma and Microsurgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510008, China.
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Bolognesi F, Fazio N, Boriani F, Fabbri VP, Gravina D, Pedrini FA, Zini N, Greco M, Paolucci M, Re MC, Asioli S, Foschini MP, D’Errico A, Baldini N, Marchetti C. Validation of a Cleanroom Compliant Sonication-Based Decellularization Technique: A New Concept in Nerve Allograft Production. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23031530. [PMID: 35163474 PMCID: PMC8836166 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23031530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2021] [Revised: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Defects of the peripheral nervous system are extremely frequent in trauma and surgeries and have high socioeconomic costs. If the direct suture of a lesion is not possible, i.e., nerve gap > 2 cm, it is necessary to use grafts. While the gold standard is the autograft, it has disadvantages related to its harvesting, with an inevitable functional deficit and further morbidity. An alternative to autografting is represented by the acellular nerve allograft (ANA), which avoids disadvantages of autograft harvesting and fresh allograft rejection. In this research, the authors intend to transfer to human nerves a novel technique, previously implemented in animal models, to decellularize nerves. The new method is based on soaking the nerve tissues in decellularizing solutions while associating ultrasounds and freeze-thaw cycles. It is performed without interrupting the sterility chain, so that the new graft may not require post-production γ-ray irradiation, which is suspected to affect the structural and functional quality of tissues. The new method is rapid, safe, and inexpensive if compared with available commercial ANAs. Histology and immunohistochemistry have been adopted to evaluate the new decellularized nerves. The study shows that the new method can be applied to human nerve samples, obtaining similar, and, sometimes better, results compared with the chosen control method, the Hudson technique.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federico Bolognesi
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Unit, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy;
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, 40136 Bologna, Italy; (V.P.F.); (S.A.); (M.P.F.); (N.B.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-333-689-4116
| | - Nicola Fazio
- BST Biomedical Science and Technologies Lab, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Via di Barbiano 1/10, 40136 Bologna, Italy; (N.F.); (D.G.); (M.G.)
| | - Filippo Boriani
- Department of Plastic Surgery and Microsurgery, University of Cagliari, 09124 Cagliari, Italy;
| | - Viscardo Paolo Fabbri
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, 40136 Bologna, Italy; (V.P.F.); (S.A.); (M.P.F.); (N.B.)
- Unit of Anatomic Pathology, Department of Oncology, Bellaria “Carlo Alberto Pizzardi” Hospital, Via Altura 3, 40139 Bologna, Italy
| | - Davide Gravina
- BST Biomedical Science and Technologies Lab, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Via di Barbiano 1/10, 40136 Bologna, Italy; (N.F.); (D.G.); (M.G.)
| | - Francesca Alice Pedrini
- Scuola di Specializzazione in Ortopedia e Traumatologia, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Festa del Perdono 7, 20122 Milano, Italy;
- IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Galeazzi, Via Riccardo Galeazzi 4, 20161 Milano, Italy
| | - Nicoletta Zini
- Unit of Bologna, CNR-National Research Council of Italy, Institute of Molecular Genetics “Luigi Luca Cavalli–Sforza”, Via di Barbiano 1/10, 40136 Bologna, Italy;
- IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Via di Barbiano 1/10, 40136 Bologna, Italy
| | - Michelina Greco
- BST Biomedical Science and Technologies Lab, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Via di Barbiano 1/10, 40136 Bologna, Italy; (N.F.); (D.G.); (M.G.)
| | - Michela Paolucci
- Microbiology Section of the Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Via Albertoni 15, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (M.P.); (M.C.R.)
| | - Maria Carla Re
- Microbiology Section of the Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Via Albertoni 15, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (M.P.); (M.C.R.)
| | - Sofia Asioli
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, 40136 Bologna, Italy; (V.P.F.); (S.A.); (M.P.F.); (N.B.)
- Unit of Anatomic Pathology, Department of Oncology, Bellaria “Carlo Alberto Pizzardi” Hospital, Via Altura 3, 40139 Bologna, Italy
| | - Maria Pia Foschini
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, 40136 Bologna, Italy; (V.P.F.); (S.A.); (M.P.F.); (N.B.)
- Unit of Anatomic Pathology, Department of Oncology, Bellaria “Carlo Alberto Pizzardi” Hospital, Via Altura 3, 40139 Bologna, Italy
| | - Antonietta D’Errico
- Pathology Unit, Department of Specialized, Experimental and Diagnostic Medicine, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Via Albertoni 15, 40138 Bologna, Italy;
| | - Nicola Baldini
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, 40136 Bologna, Italy; (V.P.F.); (S.A.); (M.P.F.); (N.B.)
- BST Biomedical Science and Technologies Lab, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Via di Barbiano 1/10, 40136 Bologna, Italy; (N.F.); (D.G.); (M.G.)
| | - Claudio Marchetti
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Unit, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy;
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, 40136 Bologna, Italy; (V.P.F.); (S.A.); (M.P.F.); (N.B.)
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Zhu GC, Xiao DJ, Zhu BW, Xiao Y. Repairing whole facial nerve defects with xenogeneic acellular nerve grafts in rhesus monkeys. Neural Regen Res 2021; 17:1131-1137. [PMID: 34558542 PMCID: PMC8552849 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.324853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Acellular nerve allografts conducted via chemical extraction have achieved satisfactory results in bridging whole facial nerve defects clinically, both in terms of branching a single trunk and in connecting multiple branches of an extratemporal segment. However, in the clinical treatment of facial nerve defects, allogeneic donors are limited. In this experiment, we exposed the left trunk and multiple branches of the extratemporal segment in six rhesus monkeys and dissected a gap of 25 mm to construct a monkey model of a whole left nerve defect. Six monkeys were randomly assigned to an autograft group or a xenogeneic acellular nerve graft group. In the autograft group, the 25-mm whole facial nerve defect was immediately bridged using an autogenous ipsilateral great auricular nerve, and in the xenogeneic acellular nerve graft group, this was done using a xenogeneic acellular nerve graft with trunk-branches. Examinations of facial symmetry, nerve-muscle electrophysiology, retrograde transport of labeled neuronal tracers, and morphology of the regenerated nerve and target muscle at 8 months postoperatively showed that the faces of the monkey appeared to be symmetrical in the static state and slightly asymmetrical during facial movement, and that they could actively close their eyelids completely. The degree of recovery from facial paralysis reached House-Brackmann grade II in both groups. Compound muscle action potentials were recorded and orbicularis oris muscles responded to electro-stimuli on the surgical side in each monkey. FluoroGold-labeled neurons could be detected in the facial nuclei on the injured side. Immunohistochemical staining showed abundant neurofilament-200-positive axons and soluble protein-100-positive Schwann cells in the regenerated nerves. A large number of mid-graft myelinated axons were observed via methylene blue staining and a transmission electron microscope. Taken together, our data indicate that xenogeneic acellular nerve grafts from minipigs are safe and effective for repairing whole facial nerve defects in rhesus monkeys, with an effect similar to that of autologous nerve transplantation. Thus, a xenogeneic acellular nerve graft may be a suitable choice for bridging a whole facial nerve defect if no other method is available. The study was approved by the Laboratory Animal Management Committee and the Ethics Review Committee of the Affiliated Wuxi No. 2 People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, China (approval No. 2018-D-1) on March 15, 2018.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guo-Chen Zhu
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Affiliated Wuxi No. 2 People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University; Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Affiliated Wuxi Clinical College of Nantong University, Wuxi, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Da-Jiang Xiao
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Affiliated Wuxi No. 2 People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University; Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Affiliated Wuxi Clinical College of Nantong University, Wuxi, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Bi-Wen Zhu
- College of Animal Science & Technology, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Yan Xiao
- Department of Pathology, Affiliated Wuxi No.2 People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi, Jiangsu Province, China
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Qiu S, Rao Z, He F, Wang T, Xu Y, Du Z, Yao Z, Lin T, Yan L, Quan D, Zhu Q, Liu X. Decellularized nerve matrix hydrogel and glial-derived neurotrophic factor modifications assisted nerve repair with decellularized nerve matrix scaffolds. J Tissue Eng Regen Med 2020; 14:931-943. [PMID: 32336045 DOI: 10.1002/term.3050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2020] [Revised: 04/11/2020] [Accepted: 04/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Nerve defects are challenging to address clinically without satisfactory treatments. As a reliable alternative to autografts, decellularized nerve matrix scaffolds (DNM-S) have been widely used in clinics for surgical nerve repair. However, DNM-S remain inferior to autografts in their ability to support nerve regeneration for long nerve defects. In this study, we systematically and clearly presented the nano-architecture of nerve-specific structures, including the endoneurium, basement membrane and perineurium/epineurium in DNM-S. Furthermore, we modified the DNM-S by supplementing decellularized nerve matrix hydrogel (DNMG) and glial-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) and then bridged a 50-mm sciatic nerve defect in a beagle model. Fifteen beagles were randomly divided into three groups (five per group): an autograft group, DNM-S group and GDNF-DNMG-modified DNM-S (DNM-S/GDNF@DNMG) group. DNM-S/GDNF@DNMG, as optimized nerve grafts, were used to bridge nerve defects in the same manner as in the DNM-S group. The repair outcome was evaluated by behavioural observations, electrophysiological assessments, regenerated nerve tissue histology and reinnervated target muscle examinations. Compared with the DNM-S group, limb function, electrophysiological responses and histological findings were improved in the DNM-S/GDNF@DNMG group 6 months after grafting, reflecting a narrower gap between the effects of DNM-S and autografts. In conclusion, modification of DNM-S with DNMG and GDNF enhanced nerve regeneration and functional recovery, indicating that noncellular modification of DNM-S is a promising method for treating long nerve defects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuai Qiu
- Department of Microsurgery, Orthopedic Trauma and Hand Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zilong Rao
- PCFM Lab, GD HPPC Lab, School of Chemistry, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Fulin He
- Department of Microsurgery, Orthopedic Trauma and Hand Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Tao Wang
- Department of Microsurgery, Orthopedic Trauma and Hand Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yiwei Xu
- PCFM Lab, GD HPPC Lab, School of Chemistry, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhaoyi Du
- PCFM Lab, GD HPPC Lab, School of Chemistry, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhi Yao
- Department of Microsurgery, Orthopedic Trauma and Hand Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Tao Lin
- Department of Microsurgery, Orthopedic Trauma and Hand Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Liwei Yan
- Department of Microsurgery, Orthopedic Trauma and Hand Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Daping Quan
- Guangdong Province Engineering Laboratory for Soft Tissue Biofabrication, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Provincial Peripheral Nerve Tissue-Engineering and Technology Research Center, Guangzhou, China.,GD Functional Biomaterials Engineering Technology Research Center, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,PCFM Lab, GD HPPC Lab, School of Chemistry, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qingtang Zhu
- Department of Microsurgery, Orthopedic Trauma and Hand Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Province Engineering Laboratory for Soft Tissue Biofabrication, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Provincial Peripheral Nerve Tissue-Engineering and Technology Research Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaolin Liu
- Department of Microsurgery, Orthopedic Trauma and Hand Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Province Engineering Laboratory for Soft Tissue Biofabrication, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Provincial Peripheral Nerve Tissue-Engineering and Technology Research Center, Guangzhou, China
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Li L, He WT, Qin BG, Liu XL, Yang JT, Gu LQ. Comparison between direct repair and human acellular nerve allografting during contralateral C7 transfer to the upper trunk for restoration of shoulder abduction and elbow flexion. Neural Regen Res 2019; 14:2132-2140. [PMID: 31397352 PMCID: PMC6788224 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.262600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Direct coaptation of contralateral C7 to the upper trunk could avoid the interposition of nerve grafts. We have successfully shortened the gap and graft lengths, and even achieved direct coaptation. However, direct repair can only be performed in some selected cases, and partial procedures still require autografts, which are the gold standard for repairing neurologic defects. As symptoms often occur after autografting, human acellular nerve allografts have been used to avoid concomitant symptoms. This study investigated the quality of shoulder abduction and elbow flexion following direct repair and acellular allografting to evaluate issues requiring attention for brachial plexus injury repair. Fifty-one brachial plexus injury patients in the surgical database were eligible for this retrospective study. Patients were divided into two groups according to different surgical methods. Direct repair was performed in 27 patients, while acellular nerve allografts were used to bridge the gap between the contralateral C7 nerve root and upper trunk in 24 patients. The length of the harvested contralateral C7 nerve root was measured intraoperatively. Deltoid and biceps muscle strength, and degrees of shoulder abduction and elbow flexion were examined according to the British Medical Research Council scoring system; meaningful recovery was defined as M3–M5. Lengths of anterior and posterior divisions of the contralateral C7 in the direct repair group were 7.64 ± 0.69 mm and 7.55 ± 0.69 mm, respectively, and in the acellular nerve allografts group were 6.46 ± 0.58 mm and 6.43 ± 0.59 mm, respectively. After a minimum of 4-year follow-up, meaningful recoveries of deltoid and biceps muscles in the direct repair group were 88.89% and 85.19%, respectively, while they were 70.83% and 66.67% in the acellular nerve allografts group. Time to C5/C6 reinnervation was shorter in the direct repair group compared with the acellular nerve allografts group. Direct repair facilitated the restoration of shoulder abduction and elbow flexion. Thus, if direct coaptation is not possible, use of acellular nerve allografts is a suitable option. This study was approved by the Medical Ethical Committee of the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, China (Application ID: [2017] 290) on November 14, 2017.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang Li
- Department of Orthopedic Trauma and Microsurgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Wen-Ting He
- Department of Orthopedic Trauma and Microsurgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Ben-Gang Qin
- Department of Orthopedic Trauma and Microsurgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Xiao-Lin Liu
- Department of Orthopedic Trauma and Microsurgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Jian-Tao Yang
- Department of Orthopedic Trauma and Microsurgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Li-Qiang Gu
- Department of Orthopedic Trauma and Microsurgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
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