Non-invasive assessment of the gracilis muscle by means of surface electromyography electrode arrays.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of the study was the non-invasive investigation of the innervation zone (IZ) location of the gracilis muscle of both thighs by means of surface electromyography (EMG).


METHODS
Multichannel EMG signals were detected by means of a flexible array of 16 equally spaced silver bar electrodes. Tests were performed on both gracilis muscles on 15 subjects. Motor unit (MU) action potentials were visually identified and extracted. The locations of the IZs of the recognized MUs were statistically analyzed to find significant differences between the subjects and between the right and left muscle of each subject.


CONCLUSIONS
A statistically significant difference was found between the gracilis IZ position in the two sides, with more proximal IZs on the left side. This difference suggests a possible role of surface EMG in preoperative evaluation of patients prepared for the dynamic graciloplasty procedure. This test would provide an objective criterion for the choice of the gracilis muscle to be transposed with the highest probability of success.
Laboratory for Engineering of the Neuromuscular System (LISiN), Department of Electronics, Politecnico di Torino, Italy.
Andrea
A
Bottin
Corrado
C
Cescon
Michal
M
Nowakowski
Roman Maria
RM
Herman
D000200:Action Potentials; D000328:Adult; D004566:Electrodes; D004576:Electromyography / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D005242:Fecal Incontinence / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000502:physiology; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000294:innervation*; D009469:Neuromuscular Junction / Q000502:physiology; D013848:Thigh