title: Nerve transfer for sensory reconstruction of C8-T1 dermatomes in tetraplegia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Absence of sensation in C8-T1 dermatome is a common finding in midcervical spinal cord injury. The goal was to restore sensation on the C8-T1 dermatomes by transferring sensory nerves with afferents on C5-C6 roots.
  
  
  METHODS
  A mean 10 months post spinal cord injury, we operated on 10 upper limbs from 5 tetraplegics averaging 23 years old. Cutaneous branches of the median nerve were transferred to the palm to the ulnar proper digital nerve of the little finger. In two patients, the lateral antebrachial cutaneous nerve was also transferred to the medial antebrachial cutaneous nerve.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At a mean 20 months after surgery, on the ulnar side of the hand and little finger, all patients were able to perceive 19.3 g Semmes-Weinstein monofilament pressure. Nociception was restored on the medial side of the elbow, forearm, and hand. Faulty location was a common finding, but not as a major complaint.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Sensory nerve transfers should be incorporated into the reconstruction of the upper limb in tetraplegics. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery 36:637-641, 2016.
authors: Center of Biological and Health Sciences, Department of Neurosurgery, University of the South of Santa Catarina (Unisul), Tubarão, Brazil.
authors: Jayme A
authors: JA
authors: Bertelli
authors: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Governador Celso Ramos Hospital, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil.
authors: Marcos F
authors: MF
authors: Ghizoni
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008475:Median Nerve / Q000601:surgery*; D016067:Nerve Transfer / Q000379:methods*; D011782:Quadriplegia / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: nerve transfer; spinal cord injury; tetraplegia