Title: Compte axonal du nerf des rhomboïdes dans le transfert vers le nerf suprascapulaire
Abstract: Paralysis of the suprascapular nerve in upper brachial plexus injuries is most often treated by a nerve transfer from the spinal accessory nerve. We recently described a transfer of the nerve of the rhomboids, branch of the dorsal scapular nerve. An anatomical study proved the transfer was feasible and the diameter of the nerve of the rhomboid was macroscopically compatible with the suprascapular. We performed an histomorphic analysis with an optimal axonal count of the nerve of the rhomboids and compared our results with the literature about the suprascapular nerve, to microscopically verify our anatomical study. We dissected 6 fresh frozen cadavers and harvested the nerve of the rhomboids. A 5 mm long section of the nerve was analyzed in a histopathological lab at the Institute Pasteur in Paris. After fixation in formalion and sections of the nerves, an axon count was manually performed with computer assistance. Review of the previously published axon counts on the suprascapular and spinal accessory nerve was performed and compared with our results. The average perineural surface was 0,1 mm2 and the average number of axons was 1568. This is above 74% of the mean number of axons of the spinal accessory nerve found in the previously published literature. In nerve transfers to restore the function of the shoulder, an appropriate size match between donor and recipient nerves was proved to be a factor affecting success. We described a novel nerve transfer preserving the spinal accessory nerve, thus the function of the trapezius muscle and the shoulder, using the nerve of the rhomboid. Our histomorphic analysis show the axon count of this nerve was equivalent to the spinal accessory nerve, making this new transfer as likely to be successful as the gold standard technique.
Publication Year: 2016
Publication Date: 2016-11-24
Language: en
Type: article
Indexed In: ['crossref']
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