["Nerve Surgery" In German-Speaking Countries - Starting With The Nerve Club Up To A Certificate]. / "Nervenchirurgie" im deutschsprachigen Raum ­ vom NervClub zum Zertifikat.

We present the Nerve Club, a community of colleagues originating from german-speaking countries and dedicated to those working in or outside surgery with interest in the peripheral nerve. This article reviews the club´s history and specific characteristics and activities, and highlights the concept of a certificate in nerve surgery. We have annual club meetings and organize every two years a plexus symposium. Also exists a scientific publication award and cooperation with an online based journal dedicated to medical publications in the field of nerve surgery.

[Nerve Transfers in Children with Non-traumatic Amyoplasia] / Nerventransfers bei Kindern mit nicht traumatischer AmyoplasieNerve Transfers in Children with Non-traumatic Amyoplasia.

BACKGROUND: The treatment of obstetric brachial plexus palsy through primary reconstruction and nerve transfers has been established in the past decades. In the case of non-traumatic diseases that lead to flaccid paralysis and the inability to move the extremities, such as transverse myelitis (TM) or arthrogryposis multiplex congenita (AMC), which can have a wide variety of causes, the focus has been on rehabilitative therapy so far, while surgical interventions have been used to a lesser extent, e. g., in the form of osteotomies or muscle transfers. Our aim is to establish nerve transfers as a surgical option to improve mobility in non-traumatic amyoplasia. PATIENTS: This work presents the needs-adapted treatment of a total of 23 patients (aged 4 months to 64 months, 18 with AMC and 5 with TM) using nerve transfers on the upper extremity. RESULTS: We were able to show that early nerve transfers in the upper extremity enabled the reanimation of muscles in both AMC and TM. CONCLUSION: This work shows that the treatment of non-traumatic amyoplasia in children with selective nerve grafts is a successful method. Nerve transfers allow patients to gain or regain important functions for managing independent everyday life. The surgical methods have been established in the treatment of traumatic nerve injuries. They are well-known and can be carried out safely. We believe that this is an important treatment option for paediatric patients with paralysis associated with TM or AMC, which should also be known to the treating physicians.

[Contralateral C7 Nerve Transfer]. / Der kontralaterale C7 Transfer.

Complex brachial plexus injuries with multiple or complete root avulsions make intraplexic reconstruction impossible in some cases. Such cases necessitate the use of extraplexic nerve donors such as the spinal accessory nerve or intercostal nerves. The contralateral C7 root represents a donor with a high axon count and can be used as an axon source in such cases. We summarise current indications, surgical technique and functional results after a contralateral C7 transfer in cases of brachial plexus injury, describing some of our own cases and including a selective literature review.

Redefining the Inclusion Criteria for Successful Steindler Flexorplasty Based on the Outcomes of a Case Series in Eight Patients.

Background (rationale) Steindler flexorplasty (SF) is aimed at restoring independent elbow flexion in the late stages of dysfunction of the primary elbow flexors. Selection criteria for successful SF have been defined. Objectives The purpose of this study was to redefine the inclusion criteria for successful SF based on functional outcomes. Methods Eight patients received SF after an average of 50.8 months after injury or dysfunction. Three patients (37.5%) met all five Al-Qattan inclusion criteria (AQIC), and another five patients (62.5%) met four or less AQIC. Patients were followed up for at least 9 months, and the maximum range of active elbow flexion (REF) was measured. Functional results of SF were assessed using the Al-Qattan scale (in accordance with Al-Qattan's scale). Results The mean maximum REF was 100 degrees (70 to 140 degrees). Five patients reached REF greater than 100 degrees. One patient had a poor outcome, two patients (25%) had a fair outcome, three patients (37.5%) had a good outcome, and two patients (25%) had an excellent outcome of SF on the Al-Qattan scale. The impact of each AQIC on functional outcome has been critically reviewed from a biomechanical point of view. Conclusions The sufficient number of inclusion criteria required for successful SF can be reduced from five (according to AQIC) to two; Normal or near-normal function (M4 or greater on the MRC scale) of the muscles of the flexor-pronator mass should be considered an obligatory inclusion criterion, while primary wrist extensors may be considered an optional inclusion criterion.

Nerve Transfers Using a Dedicated Microsurgical Robotic System.

Microsurgical demands in peripheral nerve surgery are increasing. Because of the development of multiple simultaneous selective nerve transfers, the transposition of very small nerves and even single fascicles has evolved. Coaptation of these increasingly smaller structures require high skills in microsurgical techniques. In addition, the surgical situs often has very limited access and is difficult to reach with conventional microsurgical options. Robot technology, the Symani Surgical System (Medical Microinstruments, S.p.A, Calci, Pisa, Italy), was used for epineural coaptation of three donor nerves (intercostal nerves 4-6) to the long thoracic nerve and the thoracodorsal nerve as recipient nerves in a patient with brachial plexus palsy. The coaptations could be carried out successfully with the microsurgical robot technology. In combination with a high-magnification (up to 26×) 3D-exoscope, the epineural sutures could be placed very precisely and accurately. Using this new microsurgical robotic system, successful coaptation of very small nerve structures is possible. This opens possibilities for the microsurgeon to carry out even finer, more targeted and more complex nerve transfers, including procedures in anatomical regions that are difficult to reach.

Treatment of Peripheral Nerve Compression Syndromes of the Upper Extremities: a Systematic Review. / Die Therapie peripherer Nervenkompressionssyndrome der oberen Extremität ­ eine systematische Übersichtsarbeit.

BACKGROUND: Nerve compression syndromes are referred to as chronic irritation or pressure palsies of peripheral nerves in areas of preformed anatomical constriction. Carpal tunnel syndrome is the most common nerve compression syndrome, followed by cubital tunnel syndrome. In addition, less frequent nerve compression syndromes of the upper extremities that affect the median, ulnar or radial nerves have been described. This review provides an overview of current treatment options for nerve compression syndromes of the upper extremities. STUDY DESIGN: Systematic overview. METHODS: Based on established national (AWMF) and international guidelines as well as the Cochrane Library, we performed a systematic literature search on PubMed (NLM), focusing on randomised controlled trials. RESULTS: Over the research period (2012 - 2020), there were 43 randomised trials that investigated surgical carpal tunnel release methods, 68 that compared different conservative therapies and 12 that compared surgical versus conservative treatments. Furthermore, eight studies analysed surgical techniques and four analysed conservative techniques for cubital tunnel syndrome. No randomised trials were conducted on the less common peripheral nerve compression syndromes, but case reports and observational studies were conducted. CONCLUSION: For carpal and cubital tunnel syndromes, there are evidence-based diagnostic methods as well as therapeutic recommendations based on randomised and controlled trials. When diagnosis is made after clinical examination and supported by radiological and electrophysiological evaluation, surgical treatment is considered superior to conservative treatment. In particular, excellent long-term results can be achieved by surgery for carpal and cubital tunnel syndromes. More controlled studies are needed to establish evidence-based therapeutic recommendations for the less common nerve compression syndromes, which are somewhat controversially and inconsistently defined.

Ulnar lateral digital flap for Dupuytren's disease of the fifth finger, a technique not be forgotten.

Dupuytren's disease is a common condition in hand surgery. The fifth finger is frequently affected, pre- senting the highest recurrence rate after surgical treatment. The ulnar lateral-digital flap is used when a skin defect prevents direct closure after fasciectomy of the fifth finger at the level of the MP joint. Our case series comprises of 11 patients undergoing this procedure. Their mean preoperative extension deficit was 52° at the MP joint and 43° at the PIP joint. Full extension of the MP joint and a mean of 8° extension deficit at the PIP joint was achieved with surgery. All patients maintained full extension at the MP joint, with a follow-up of 1 to 3 years. Minor complications were reported. The ulnar lateral digital flap is a simple and reliable alternative when surgically treating Dupuytren's disease of the fifth finger.

[Nerve transposition (nerve transfer): development and principles]. / Nerventranspositionen (Nerventransfers): Entwicklung und Prinzipien.

This review article presents the history, indications and techniques for the usual nerve transpositions in the upper extremities. By means of nerve transposition paralyzed muscles are reinnervated using dispensable donor motor axons. Many standard operations on the upper extremities are attributable to concepts of German-speaking surgeons and orthopedists. The reliable return of function by the short-range and selective motor reinnervation using nerve transfer results in a renaissance of these techniques. The spectrum of applications has been substantially extended in recent years. In order to achieve an optimal result, a subtle microsurgical technique is necessary. In this way excellent results can be achieved even for complex proximal nerve injuries.

Ulnar Wrist Deviation in Children With Obstetric Brachial Plexus Palsy: A Descriptive Study of Clinical and Radiological Findings of Impaired Ulnar Growth and Associated Incongruence of the Distal Radioulnar Joint.

Backround: Some children with obstetric brachial plexus palsy (OBPP) present later on with an ulnarly deviated wrist. The aim of this study was to present a retrospective analysis of a subgroup of OBPP children with ulnarly deviated wrists and to describe their morphologic wrist deformity in terms of clinical and radiological appearance. Methods: We present a retrospective analysis of the records of 27 children with an ulnarly deviated wrist as a consequence of OBPP. Radiographs of the affected wrist were performed when the ulnar deformity became clinically manifest and merited investigation, at a mean age of 15 (range: 6.5-27) years. Available clinical and radiological data were analyzed and categorized. Results: The ulnar-deviated position was associated with impaired active and passive pronosupination in all patients. Fifteen fixed supination deformities and 3 anterior radial head dislocations were noted clinically. Plain radiographs were completed in 24 patients and could be analyzed in 18, showing variations in ulnar variance (7 neutral, 7 ulna minus, and 4 ulna plus) along with 6 subluxations of the distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ). Of the patients treated surgically (n = 7), only the 2 patients treated with wrist fusion had an actual improvement in ulnar wrist deformity. Conclusion: Radiologically visible ulnar head hypoplasia, overgrowth of the distal ulna, or a shortened ulnar diaphysis and an incongruent DRUJ were present in all examined OBPP patients with a clinically evident ulnarly deviated wrists. The radiological findings highlight the morphologic adaptation behind this clinical condition and could allow further investigation into suitable treatment strategies.

Upper Limb Multifactorial Movement Analysis in Brachial Plexus Birth Injury.

Multifactorial motion analysis was first established for gait and then developed in the upper extremity. Recordings of infrared light reflecting sensitive passive markers in space, combined with surface eletromyographic recordings and/or transmitted forces, allow eclectic study of muscular coordination in the upper limb. Brachial plexus birth injury is responsible for various patterns of muscle weakness, imbalance, and/or simultaneous activation, soft tissue contractures, and bone-joint deformities, leading to individual motion patterns and adaptations, which we studied by means of motion analysis tools. We describe the technical development and examination setup to evaluate motion impairment and present first clinical results. Motion analysis is a reliable objective assessment tool allowing precise pre- and postoperative multimodal evaluation of upper limb function. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II.