Harvesting Full-Length Ulnar Nerves by Means of the Endoscope for Contralateral C7 Nerve Root Transfer in Treatment of Brachial Plexus Injuries

To avoid long scar formation after contralateral C7 transfer for treatment of brachial plexus avulsion injuries, the endoscope was used to harvest the full length ulnar nerve. The surgical procedure and its clinical effects were reported.

Between July and August, 2001, two patients with total root avulsion were recruited. Three 2-3-cm-long incisions were made in the mid upper arm, elbow, and wrist, and full length ulnar nerves were harvested using the EVHS endoscope system. The time for surgery was recorded, the vascularity of the dissected ulnar nerves was observed, and the recovery of the injured limb after contralateral C7 nerve root transfer was also measured.

Compared with the traditional technique, there were no significant differences in surgery time, vascularity of the dissected ulnar nerve, or the recovery of the injured limb when the full length ulnar nerve was harvested with the endoscope (as part of contralateral C7 nerve root transfer), but the degree of scarring after surgery was markedly reduced.

While the same level of curative effect was insured, the endoscope-aided method for harvesting the full length ulnar nerve for contralateral C7 nerve root transfer was not complicated and caused markedly less scarring.