Phrenic nerve neurotization of the musculocutaneous nerve with end-to-side neurorrhaphy: a short report in a rabbit model.
This experimental study was performed to evaluate the efficacy of end-to-side coaptation between the musculocutaneous nerve and the phrenic nerve for brachial plexus injuries with nerve-root avulsions. In an experimental rabbit model, neurotization of the musculocutaneous nerve with the phrenic nerve was compared using end-to-end and end-to-side neurorrhaphy. Preliminary results from electrophysiologic and histologic examinations indicate that end-to-side neurotization of the musculocutaneous nerve with the phrenic nerve is an effective means for musculocutaneous nerve repair. The effectiveness of the phrenic nerve is attributed to its large number of motor axons.
Stamatoukou
Anna
A
Department of Orthopedic Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
Papadogeorgou
Ellada
E
Zhang
Zijie
Z
Pavlakis
Kitty
K
Zoubos
Aristides B
AB
Soucacos
Panayotis N
PN
D000818:Animals; D023421:Models, Animal; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000294:innervation; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D010791:Phrenic Nerve / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology / Q000601:surgery*; D011817:Rabbits; D012867:Skin / Q000294:innervation