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. 2022 Oct 24;10(10):e4614.
doi: 10.1097/GOX.0000000000004614. eCollection 2022 Oct.

Alternative Nerve Transfer for Shoulder Function: Thoracodorsal and Medial Triceps to Anterior Axillary Nerve

Lindsay Ellen Janes  1 , Christopher Crowe  2 , Nikhil Shah  1 , Daniel Sasson  1 , Jason H Ko  1
Affiliations

Alternative Nerve Transfer for Shoulder Function: Thoracodorsal and Medial Triceps to Anterior Axillary Nerve

Lindsay Ellen Janes et al. Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. .

Abstract

We describe a reliable approach for double nerve transfer of the medial triceps branch and thoracodorsal nerve to the axillary nerve to increase axonal input. We present a review of outcomes for both end-to-end and reverse end-to-side nerve transfer.

Methods: A retrospective review of patients who underwent nerve transfer for improvement of shoulder abduction at Harborview Medical Center and Northwestern Memorial Hospital between 2012 and 2021 was conducted. Patients were prospectively contacted to fill out a 30 item Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand questionnaire, with an option to upload a video demonstrating active range of motion.

Results: Twenty-one patients with 23 affected extremities were included in the final analysis. Fifteen patients completed the prospective arm of the study (71% response rate). Seventy-nine percent of patient limbs achieved a Medical Research Council Motor Scale (MRC-MS) of 4 or greater, and measured shoulder abduction active range of motion (AROM) was 139.2 degrees (range, 29-174 degrees) and 140.9 degrees (range, 60-180 degrees) (P = 0.95) for end-to-end and reverse end-to-side, respectively. Comparing end-to-end with reverse end-to-side neurorrhaphy, outcomes, including follow-up, mean postoperative MRC-MS, mean change in MRC-MS, Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand, abduction AROM, and flexion AROM, were not statistically different.

Conclusions: We showed improvements in shoulder abduction with the thoracodorsal nerve, in addition to the medial triceps branch, to increase axonal donation and power the axillary nerve without sacrificing the spinal accessory nerve. Furthermore, we demonstrated improvements with reverse end-to-side coaptation when intraoperative stimulation of the axillary nerve revealed residual function.

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Figures

Fig. 1.
Fig. 1.
Surgical anatomy of nerve transfer approach. Incision placement (A) and surgical approach (B).
Fig. 2.
Fig. 2.
View of the axillary nerve emerging from the quadrangular space. The posterior axillary branch can be distinguished by finding the posterior sensory nerve branching off.
Fig. 3.
Fig. 3.
Intraoperative view of approach to thoracodorsal neurovascular bundle. Transverse and longitudinal branches of the thoracodorsal nerve off the main trunk should be dissected to obtain additional length.
Fig. 4.
Fig. 4.
Passage of the thoracodorsal nerve underneath the teres major and triceps long head to reach the axillary nerve, using a Penrose drain.
Fig. 5.
Fig. 5.
Final nerve coaptations of the medial head of triceps, transverse, and longitudinal branches of thoracodorsal nerve to the anterior branch of the axillary nerve.
Fig. 6.
Fig. 6.
Video measurement of active range of motion of shoulder flexion and abduction. A, Frontal view. B, Side view.
Fig. 7.
Fig. 7.
Paired t-test demonstrating significant change in postoperative MRC-MS compared with preoperative in both end-to-end vs reverse end-to-side neurorrhaphy. *P < 0.05, **P < 0.005, ***P < 0.0005
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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