[Restoration of elbow joint flexion by transfer of the pectoralis major muscle in patients with arthrogryposis multiplex congenita. Part II. Results of electromyographic and histologic examinations].
OBJECTIVE
In the framework of a prospective study on transposition of the m. pectoralis major according to Clark in patients with type I arthrogryposis multiplex congenita, electromyography was carried out in order to determine pre-operative states of the elbow joint flexors and m. pectoralis major and then the post-operative electric activity of a transposed muscle and to correlate changes with clinical findings. Histological examination was performed to reveal changes in muscle morphology and to complete a comprehensive assessment of muscle transposition.


METHODS
Electromyography was carried out on nine upper limbs of five pediatric patients aged 4.3 to 8.9 years. Using a needle electrode, activities of the elbow flexors (m. biceps and m. brachialis), m. pectoralis major, m. triceps brachii and m. deltoideus were examined. In the post-operative period, activity was repeatedly measured in both the transposed and non-transposed parts of the m. pectoralis major. In one patient, histological examination of muscle tissue was performed at 26 months after transposition; light microscopy of paraffin-mounted sections stained with hematoxylin-eosin was used.


RESULTS
Out of seven arms examined by electromyography before muscle transfer, six showed complete and one incomplete atrophy of the m. biceps brachii and m. brachialis. The m. pectoralis major had a five- to four-degree electric activity, which provided enough strength for transposition. Post-operative examination revealed changes leading to re-innervation of the transposed muscle, which corresponded to a partial denervation of the muscle followed by repair of innervation. None of the muscles was markedly atrophic due to denervation. In muscles with a higher electric activity, clinical outcomes were better, although electric activity always slightly exceeded clinical activity. In terms of electric activity, the transposed muscle was stabilized a year after surgery. Non-transposed parts of the muscle were not damaged by the surgical procedure, as shown by electromyography. Histological examination showed the muscle at a state of partial atrophy but with signs of ongoing regeneration of muscle fibers.


CONCLUSIONS
No data on examination of the electric activity of the m. pectoralis major following its transposition in patients with arthrogryposis multiplex congenita have been reported in the literature. Electromyography in this study proved useful for providing information on the electric activity of a muscle before transposition and on contractility of the muscle after surgery; it also allowed us to distinguish between a mechanical failure of transfer and muscle atrophy due to neurogenic or vascular causes. All transposed muscles that were examined revealed changes indicating a minimum denervation followed by re-innervation. This finding was confirmed by the results of histological examination.


CONCLUSIONS
Electromyography showed that the electric activity of a transposed muscle corresponded to the clinical presentation of this muscle and thus became an indispensable part of both pre- and post-operative examination. Both electromyographic and histological examination confirmed the applicability of the treatment described here.
Chomiak
J
J
Ortopedická klinika IPVZ a 1. LF UK, Praha.
Dungl
P
P
Grim
M
M
D001176:Arthrogryposis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004551:Elbow Joint / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D004576:Electromyography; D006801:Humans; D010369:Pectoralis Muscles / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000637:transplantation*; D011446:Prospective Studies