A Fresh Cadaver Study on the Innervation of Brachioradialis and Extensor Carpi Radialis Longus Muscles.

PURPOSE: Distal nerve transfers have revolutionized peripheral nerve surgery by allowing the transfer of healthy motor nerves to paralyzed ones without causing additional morbidity. Radial nerve branches to the brachialis (Ba), brachioradialis (Br), and extensor carpi radialis longus (ECRL) muscles have not been investigated in fresh cadavers. METHODS: The radial nerve and its branches were dissected in 34 upper limbs from 17 fresh cadavers. Measurements were taken to determine the number, origin, length, and diameter of the branches. Myelinated fiber counts were obtained through histological analysis. RESULTS: The first branch of the radial nerve at the elbow was to the Ba muscle, followed by the branches to the Br and ECRL muscles. The Ba and Br muscles consistently received single innervation. The ECRL muscle showed varying innervation patterns, with one, two, or three branches. The branches to the Br muscles originated from the anterior side of the radial nerve, whereas the branches to the Ba and ECRL muscles originated from the posterior side. The average myelinated fiber counts favored the nerve to Br muscle over that to the ECRL muscle, with counts of 542 versus 350 and 568 versus 302 observed in hematoxylin and eosin and neurofilament staining, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides detailed anatomical insights into the motor branches of the radial nerve to the Ba, Br, and ECRL muscles. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Understanding the anatomy of the radial nerve branches at the elbow is of utmost importance when devising a reconstructive strategy for upper limb paralysis. These findings can guide surgeons in selecting appropriate donor or recipient nerves for nerve transfer in cases of high tetraplegia and lower-type brachial plexus injuries.

A cut throat: a case of C5-C8 brachial plexus root transection providing evidence of T1 innervation of thumb and finger extensors.

The T1 nerve root is not routinely thought of as innervating the extensors of the thumb and fingers. Work by Bertelli and Ghizoni proposed that the pattern of brachial plexus paralysis with intact hand function and thumb and finger extensors traditionally attributed to C5/6/7 root injury is in fact a C5/6/7/8 injury, with only T1 remaining intact - a 'T1 hand'. This case presents a 19-year-old male who was stabbed in the neck; exploratory surgery determined complete transection of the brachial plexus, with only the T1 nerve root remaining intact. Clinical examination demonstrated grade M4 pronation (with pronator quadratus), wrist extension (with extensor carpi ulnaris), thumb and finger extension (with extensor policis longus and brevis, extensor digitorum communis and extensor index proprius), wrist flexion (with palmaris longus), finger flexion (with flexor digitorum superficialis and profundus), thumb flexion (with flexor policis longus), and thenar and hypothenar muscles. Extensor carpi radialis longus and brevis, flexor carpi radialis and flexor carpi ulnaris were paralyzed. Triceps scored M2. This case provides unequivocal evidence that the T1 root provides significant innervation to the extrinsic thumb and finger extensors.

Free adipofascial flap interposition for pediatric posttraumatic forearm synostosis with closed head injury.

A case report is presented of a 12-year-old male after a motor vehicle accident: head injury and multiple fractures, including bilateral both bone forearm fractures. The patient developed bilateral extensive forearm synostosis that required release and interpositional free flap at 6 months postinjury. At 3-year follow-up, the patient has maintained full forearm rotation and reports unrestricted sports and other recreational activities.

Periarterial sympathectomy salvage of the acutely ischemic hand.

A 40-year-old woman involved in a motor vehicle accident presented to the emergency room with signs and symptoms of acute left hand ischemia. The mechanism of injury consisted of a severe crushing component limited to a linear zone across the left hand metacarpals. After patient management, and compartment decompressions and stabilization of fractures, an ischemic state persisted that failed to improve after extensive vessel exploration and bathing in vasodilating solutions. Only after extensive peripheral sympathectomy was appropriate flow re-established to the hand. The need to employ periarterial sympathectomy in the acute trauma setting will occur infrequently, but is a valuable tool to have in mind when flow is not re-established after appropriate less invasive measures have failed.

Simultaneous three-flap reconstruction of extensive hand and finger degloving injury: case report.

Connecting the two areas of the hand and digits are the interdigital web spaces that serve as a transition zone and maintain a specific shape and architecture that facilitates the unique patterns of human prehension. In reconstructing a degloving injury that involves the fingers, hand, and interdigital webs, consideration must be given to the function of each of these three regions. The authors present a case report illustrating their management of an extensive degloving injury of the hand and fingers.