title: The sensory restoration in radial nerve injury using the first branch of dorsal ulnar cutaneous nerve--a cadaveric study for the feasibility of procedure and case demonstration.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To demonstrate the new sensory restoration technique in radial nerve injury using the first branch of dorsal ulnar cutaneous nerve as the donor sensory nerve.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty formalin-preserved cadavers (18 males and 22 females) were used as the subjects of the present study. The localization of the origin of first branch of dorsal ulnar cutaneous nerve was performed. The measurement was done to determine the origin of this nerve in relation to the tip of ulnar styloid. The simulated transfer was done. The length of the superficial radial nerve that had to be cut was determined. The measurement was done by two observers to determine the reliability of measurement.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean horizontal distance (X) to the origin of first branch of dorsal ulnar cutaneous nerve measured from the tip of ulnar styloid on the right and left side were 5.22 mm and 6.51 mm respectively. The mean vertical distance (Y) to the origin of first branch of dorsal ulnar cutaneous nerve measured from the tip of ulnar styloid on the right and left side were -7.72 mm and -4.37 mm respectively. The mean length of superficial radial nerve that had to be cut to allow tension free anastomosis, measured from the tip of radial styloid on the right and left side were 68.21 mm and 65.92 mm respectively. The estimated average size of the transferred branch of ulnar cutaneous nerve was about 70% of the size of superficial radial nerve.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The sensory restoration in radial nerve injury using sensory nerve transfer from the first branch of dorsal ulnar cutaneous nerve was technically feasible regarding to the comparable size between two nerves and anatomic consistency of the first branch of dorsal ulnar cutaneous nerve.
authors.forename: Sorasak
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Suppaphol
authors.forename: Ittirat
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Watcharananan
authors.forename: Tulyapruek
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tawonsawatruk
authors.forename: Patarawan
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Woratanarat
authors.forename: Thananetr
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sasivongsbhakdi
authors.forename: Viroj
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Kawinwonggowit
mesh_terms: D002102:Cadaver; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005542:Forearm / Q000294:innervation; D005543:Forearm Injuries / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D022125:Lacerations / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008475:Median Nerve / Q000293:injuries; D016067:Nerve Transfer / Q000379:methods*; D059348:Peripheral Nerve Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D011826:Radial Nerve / Q000293:injuries*; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012677:Sensation; D014459:Ulnar Nerve / Q000637:transplantation