title: Transfer of pectoral nerves to suprascapular and axillary nerves: an anatomic feasibility study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We conducted an anatomic study to provide detailed information on the pectoral nerves and anatomic data on the transfer of the pectoral nerves to the axillary nerve. Moreover, we experimentally determined the feasibility of transferring the pectoral nerves to the suprascapular nerve in upper brachial plexus injury.
  
  
  METHODS
  We dissected 26 brachial plexus from 15 fresh cadavers. The origin, location, course, and branching of the pectoral nerves were recorded. The length and the diameter of the pectoral nerves were measured. The diameter of the suprascapular and axillary nerves was recorded. In all dissections, we assessed the feasibility of directly transferring the pectoral nerves to the suprascapular and axillary nerves.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We found 3 constant branches of pectoral nerves arising from 3 distinct origins in 20 cases, and 3 constant branches arising from 2 distinct origins in 6 cases. The C7 sent nerve fibers to all 3 branches. The average length and diameter of the superior, middle, and inferior branches of the pectoral nerves were 65 mm, 110 mm, and 105 mm, and 2.0 mm, 2.3 mm, ad 2.4 mm, respectively. The average diameter of the suprascapular and axillary were 2.8 mm and 3.6 mm, respectively. The superior branch reached the suprascapular and axillary nerves in 17 and 8 cases. The middle and inferior branches reached the suprascapular and axillary nerve in all dissections.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  With an adequate length, diameter, and nerve composition, the middle and inferior branches of the pectoral nerves are suitable donor nerves to the axillary nerve and a potential source of reinnervation of the suprascapular nerve in upper brachial plexus injury.
authors.affiliation: Nice Sophia Antipolis University, Nice, France. Sylvdavid@yahoo.fr
authors.forename: Sylvain
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: David
authors.forename: Thierry
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Balaguer
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Baque
authors.forename: Elisabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Lebreton
mesh_terms: D001365:Axilla / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000294:innervation*; D020516:Brachial Plexus Neuropathies / Q000601:surgery*; D002102:Cadaver; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D006801:Humans; D016067:Nerve Transfer / Q000379:methods*; D013900:Thoracic Nerves / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000601:surgery* / Q000637:transplantation*