Anatomical feasibility study of the infraspinatus muscle neurotization by lower subscapular nerve
Language English Country Great Britain, England Media print-electronic
Document type Journal Article
- Keywords
- Suprascapular nerve, brachial plexus injury, lower subscapular nerve, nerve transfer, scapular fracture,
- MeSH
- Adult MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Nerve Transfer * methods MeSH
- Brachial Plexus * surgery MeSH
- Nerve Regeneration physiology MeSH
- Rotator Cuff MeSH
- Feasibility Studies MeSH
- Check Tag
- Adult MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
OBJECTIVES: To investigate the anatomical feasibility of the infraspinatus branch of the suprascapular nerve (IB-SSN) reconstruction by lower subscapular nerve (LSN) transfer. METHODS: The morphological study was performed on 18 adult human cadavers. The length of the distal stump of the IB-SSN, the length of the LSN available for reconstruction and diameter of both stumps were measured. The feasibility study of the LSN to IB-SSN transfer was performed. RESULTS: The mean length of the IB-SSN to the end of its first branch was 40.9 mm (±4.6). Its mean diameter was 2.3 mm (±0.3). The mean length of the LSN stump, which was mobilized from its original course and transferred to reach the distal stump of the IB-SSN was 66.5 mm (±11.8). Its mean diameter was 2.1 mm (±0.3). The mean ratio between LSN and IB-SSN diameters was 0.9 (±0.1). The nerve transfer was feasible in 17 out of 18 cases (94.4%). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that direct LSN to IB-SSN transfer is anatomically feasible in most cases in the adult population. It may be used in cases of complex scapular fractures resulting in severe suprascapular nerve injury.
Department of Anatomy 1st Faculty of Medicine Charles University Prague Czech Republic
Department of Otolaryngology Newcastle University Hospitals Newcastle upon Tyne UK
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