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DOI: 10.1055/s-0045-1809555
How to Facilitate the Selection of Recipient Fascicles of the Ulnar Nerve during Nerve Transfers? The Vasa Nervorum as an Anatomical Landmark
Article in several languages: español | English
Abstract
Introduction
Multiple nerve transfers have been described for the treatment of ulnar nerve injuries. We highlight the transfer of the anterior interosseous nerve to the motor fascicle of the ulnar nerve in the forearm. We emphasize the importance of correctly matching the function of the fascicles to optimize outcomes. The objective proposed is to identify the presence and topography of the vasa nervorum between the motor and sensory fascicles of the ulnar nerve, to validate it as an anatomical landmark in nerve transfer surgery.
Materials and Methods
A descriptive, observational, cross-sectional study was carried out on cadaveric material. Twenty upper limbs fixed with formaldehyde were used; they were injected with colored latex intravascularly and dissected. Two samples of ulnar nerves were collected for histological study. The presence or absence of the vasa nervorum and their topography between the motor and sensory fascicles of the ulnar nerve were identified.
Results
The presence of the vasa nervorum of the ulnar nerve between its motor and sensory fascicles was confirmed by anatomical dissection and histological study in 100% of the cases.
Conclusion
the vasa nervorum between the sensory and motor fascicles of the ulnar nerve is a constant structure that constitutes a valid reper for interfascicular dissection in nerve transfer surgery.
Publication History
Received: 04 May 2024
Accepted: 24 March 2025
Article published online:
21 July 2025
© 2025. SECMA Foundation. This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonDerivative-NonCommercial License, permitting copying and reproduction so long as the original work is given appropriate credit. Contents may not be used for commercial purposes, or adapted, remixed, transformed or built upon. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)
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