The contralateral long thoracic nerve as a donor for upper brachial plexus neurotization procedures: cadaveric feasibility study.
OBJECTIVE
Various donor nerves, including the ipsilateral long thoracic nerve (LTN), have been used for brachial plexus neurotization procedures. Neurotization to proximal branches of the brachial plexus using the contralateral long thoracic nerve (LTN) has, to the authors' knowledge, not been previously explored.


METHODS
In an attempt to identify an additional nerve donor candidate for proximal brachial plexus neurotization, the authors dissected the LTN in 8 adult human cadavers. The nerve was transected at its distal termination and then passed deep to the clavicle and axillary neurovascular bundle. This passed segment of nerve was then tunneled subcutaneously and contralaterally across the neck to a supra- and infraclavicular exposure of the suprascapular and musculocutaneous nerves. Measurements were made of the length and diameter of the LTN.


RESULTS
All specimens were found to have a LTN that could be brought to the aforementioned contralateral nerves. Neural connections remained tension free with left and right neck rotation of approximately 45 degrees . The mean length of the LTN was 22 cm with a range of 18-27 cm. The overall mean diameter of this nerve was 3.0 mm. No gross evidence of injury to surrounding neurovascular structures was identified in any specimen.


CONCLUSIONS
Based on the results of this cadaveric study, the use of the contralateral LTN may be considered for neurotization of the proximal musculocutaneous and suprascapular nerves.
Tubbs
R Shane
RS
Section of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Children's Hospital, Birmingham, Alabama 35233, USA. rstubbs@uab.edu
Loukas
Marios
M
Shoja
Mohammadali M
MM
Shokouhi
Ghaffar
G
Wellons
John C
JC
Oakes
W Jerry
WJ
Cohen-Gadol
Aaron A
AA
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001917:Brachial Plexus / Q000601:surgery*; D002102:Cadaver; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016067:Nerve Transfer / Q000379:methods*; D013900:Thoracic Nerves / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000637:transplantation*