Total brachial plexus injury： contralateral C7 root transfer to the lower trunk versus the median nerve

Contralateral C7（cC7） root transfer to the healthy side is the main method for the treatment of brachial plexus root injury. A relatively new modification of this method involves cC7 root transfer to the lower trunk via the prespinal route. In the current study, we examined the effectiveness of this method using electrophysiological and histological analyses. To this end, we used a rat model of total brachial plexus injury, and cC7 root transfer was performed to either the lower trunk via the prespinal route or the median nerve via a subcutaneous tunnel to repair the injury. At 4, 8 and 12 weeks, the grasping test was used to measure the changes in grasp strength of the injured forepaw. Electrophysiological changes were examined in the flexor digitorum superficialis muscle. The change in the wet weight of the forearm flexor was also measured. Atrophy of the flexor digitorum superficialis muscle was assessed by hematoxylin-eosin staining. Toluidine blue staining was used to count the number of myelinated nerve fibers in the injured nerves. Compared with the traditional method, cC7 root transfer to the lower trunk via the prespinal route increased grasp strength of the injured forepaw, increased the compound muscle action potential maximum amplitude, shortened latency, substantially restored tetanic contraction of the forearm flexor muscles, increased the wet weight of the muscle, reduced atrophy of the flexor digitorum superficialis muscle, and increased the number of myelinated nerve fibers. These findings demonstrate that for finger flexion functional recovery in rats with total brachial plexus injury, transfer of the cC7 root to the lower trunk via the prespinal route is more effective than transfer to the median nerve via subcutaneous tunnel.

Contralateral C7 transfer combined with acellular nerve allografts seeded with differentiated adipose stem cells for repairing upper brachial plexus injury in rats

Nerve grafting has always been necessary when the contralateral C7 nerve root is transferred to treat brachial plexus injury. Acellular nerve allograft is a promising alternative for the treatment of nerve defects, and results were improved by grafts laden with differentiated adipose stem cells. However, use of these tissue-engineered nerve grafts has not been reported for the treatment of brachial plexus injury. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the outcome of acellular nerve allografts seeded with differentiated adipose stem cells to improve nerve regeneration in a rat model in which the contralateral C7 nerve was transferred to repair an upper brachial plexus injury. Differentiated adipose stem cells were obtained from Sprague-Dawley rats and transdifferentiated into a Schwann cell-like phenotype. Acellular nerve allografts were prepared from 15-mm bilateral sections of rat sciatic nerves. Rats were randomly divided into three groups: acellular nerve allograft, acellular nerve allograft + differentiated adipose stem cells, and autograft. The upper brachial plexus injury model was established by traction applied away from the intervertebral foramen with micro-hemostat forceps. Acellular nerve allografts with or without seeded cells were used to bridge the gap between the contralateral C7 nerve root and C5–6 nerve. Histological staining, electrophysiology, and neurological function tests were used to evaluate the effect of nerve repair 16 weeks after surgery. Results showed that the onset of discernible functional recovery occurred earlier in the autograft group first, followed by the acellular nerve allograft + differentiated adipose stem cells group, and then the acellular nerve allograft group;moreover, there was a significant difference between autograft and acellular nerve allograft groups. Compared with the acellular nerve allograft group, compound muscle action potential, motor conduction velocity, positivity for neurofilament and S100, diameter of regenerating axons, myelin sheath thickness, and density of myelinated fibers were remarkably increased in autograft and acellular nerve allograft + differentiated adipose stem cells groups. These findings confirm that acellular nerve allografts seeded with differentiated adipose stem cells effectively promoted nerve repair after brachial plexus injuries, and the effect was better than that of acellular nerve repair alone. This study was approved by the Animal Ethics Committee of the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University of China(approval No. 2016-150) in June 2016.

Use of intercostal nerves for different target neurotization in brachial plexus reconstruction

Intercostal nerve transfer is a valuable procedure in devastating plexopathies. Intercostal nerves are a very good choice for elbow flexion or extension and shoulder abduction when the intraplexus donor nerves are not available. The best results are obtained in obstetric brachial plexus palsy patients, when direct nerve transfer is performed within six months from the injury. Unlike the adult posttraumatic patients after median and ulnar nerve neurotization with intercostal nerves, almost all obstetric brachial plexus palsy patients achieve protective sensation in the hand and some of them achieve active wrist and finger flexion. Use in combination with proper muscles, intercostal nerve transfer can yield adequate power to the paretic upper limb. Reinnervation of native muscles(i.e., latissimus dorsi) should always be sought as they can successfully be transferred later on for further functional restoration.

Improved C_(3-4) transfer for treatment of root avulsion of the brachial plexus upper trunk Animal experiments and clinical application

Experimental rats with root avulsion of the brachial plexus upper trunk were treated with the improved C34 transfer for neurotization of 05-6. Results showed that Terzis grooming test scores were significantly increased at 6 months after treatment, the latency of C5-6 motor evoked potential was gradually shortened, and the amplitude was gradually increased. The rate of C3 instead of C5 and the C4 ＋ phrenic nerve instead of C6 myelinated nerve fibers crossing through the anastomotic stoma was approximately 80%. Myelinated nerve fibers were arranged loosely but the thickness of the myelin sheath was similar to that of the healthy side. In clinical applications, 39 patients with root avulsion of the brachial plexus upper trunk were followed for 6 months to 4.5 years after treatment using the improved C3 instead of C5 nerve root transfer and C4 nerve root and phrenic nerve instead of C6 nerve root transfer. Results showed that the strength of the brachial biceps and deltoid muscles recovered to level IIHV, scapular muscle to level Ill-W, latissimus dorsi and pectoralis major muscles to above level Ⅲ, and the brachial triceps muscle to level 0 Ill. Results showed that the improved 03-4 transfer for root avulsion of the brachial plexus upper trunk in animal models is similar to clinical findings and that C3-4 and the phrenic nerve transfer for neurotization of C5-6 can innervate the avulsed brachial plexus upper trunk and promote the recovery of nerve function in the upper extremity.

Structure of the brachial plexus root and adjacent regions displayed by ultrasound imaging

Brachial plexuses of 110 healthy volunteers were examined using high resolution color Doppler ultrasound. Ultrasonic characteristics and anatomic variation in the intervertebral foramen, interscalene, supraclavicular and infraclavicular, as well as the axillary brachial plexus were investigated. Results confirmed that the normal brachial plexus on cross section exhibited round or elliptic hypoechoic texture. Longitudinal section imaging showed many parallel linear hypo-moderate echoes, with hypo-echo. The transverse processes of the seventh cervical vertebra, the scalene space, the subclavian artery and the deep cervical artery are important markers in an examination. The display rates for the interscalene, and supraclavicular and axillary brachial plexuses were 100% each, while that for the infraclavicular brachial plexus was 97%. The region where the normal brachial plexus root traversed the intervertebral foramen exhibited a regular hypo-echo. The display rate for the C5-7 nerve roots was 100%, while those for C8 and T1 were 83% and 68%, respectively. A total of 20 of the 110 subjects underwent cervical CT scan. High-frequency ultrasound can clearly display the outline of the transverse processes of the vertebrae, which were consistent with CT results. These results indicate that high-frequency ultrasound provides a new method for observing the morphology of the brachial plexus. The C~ vertebra is a marker for identifying the position of brachial plexus nerve roots.

Influence of species,age and weight on the establishment of a murine model of brachial plexus root avulsion

BACKGROUND： Animal models of brachial plexus root avulsion are required for the study of brachial plexus root injuries. The established ventral approach results in slight injuries, and is similar to mechanisms underlying human brachial plexus root avulsion.OBJECTIVE： To analyze the effects of weight, age, and species on the success rate of brachial plexus root avulsion, and to determine the perfect method for establishing models of brachial plexus root avulsion.DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： A randomized, block design was performed at the Laboratory of Professor Lihua Zhou, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, China from June 2008 to June 2009.MATERIALS： Sprague Dawley （SD） rats, golden hamsters, and BALb/C mice were used in the present study.METHODS： All animals were randomly subjected to classical brachial plexus root avulsion and modified brachial plexus root avulsion.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： Success rate of brachial plexus root avulsion. RESULTS： The success rate of brachial plexus root avulsion was greater in the modified group than in the classical group （P〈0.01）. Moreover, the difference was significant in 15-day-old SD rats, 5-week-old SD rats, and 3-month-old BALb/C mice （P〈0.01）. The success rate of brachial plexus root avulsion was greater in the same weight, 15-day-old juvenile SD rats, than in the 3-month-old BALb/C mice （classical group, P〈0.01; modified group, P〈0.05）. The success rate of brachial plexus root avulsion was significantly greater in 3-month-old golden hamsters than in 5-week-old SD rats in the classical group （P〈0.05）. The success rate of brachial plexus root avulsion was significantly lower in the 15-day-old SD rats compared with the 5-week-old and 3-month-old SD rats in the classical group （P〈0.01）. However, there was no significant difference in the success rate of brachial plexus root avulsion between various ages of SD rats in the modified group （P〉0.05）.CONCLUSION： Modified surgery to induce brachial plexus root avulsion significantly increases the success rate of model establishment. Species, age, and weight affect the success rate of brachial plexus root avulsion, and species plays an important role in the success rate.

Differentiation of endogenous neural stem cells in adult versus neonatal rats after brachial plexus root avulsion injury

An experimental model of brachial plexus root avulsion injury of cervical dorsal C5-6 was established in adult and neonatal rats.Real-time PCR showed that the levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor,nerve growth factor and neurotrophin-3 in adult rats increased rapidly 1 day after brachial plexus root avulsion injury,and then gradually decreased to normal levels by 21 days.In neonatal rats,levels of the three neurotrophic factors were decreased on the first day after injury,and then gradually increased from the seventh day and remained at high levels for an extended period of time.We observed that greater neural plasticity contributed to better functional recovery in neonatal rats after brachial plexus root avulsion injury compared with adult rats.Moreover, immunohistochemical staining showed that the number of bromodeoxyuridine/nestin-positive cells increased significantly in the spinal cords of the adult rats compared with neonatal rats after brachial plexus root avulsion injury.In addition,the number of bromodeoxyuridine/glial fibrillary acidic protein-positive cells in adult rats was significantly higher than in neonatal rats 14 and 35 days after brachial plexus injury.Bromodeoxyuridine/β-tubulin-positive cells were not found in either adult or neonatal rats.These results indicate that neural stem cells differentiate mainly into astrocytes after brachial plexus root avulsion injury.Furthermore,the degree of neural stem cell differentiation in neonatal rats was lower than in adult rats.

A novel extradural nerve transfer technique by coaptation of C4 to C5 and C7 to C6 for treating isolated upper trunk avulsion of the brachial plexus

The study aimed to demonstrate the feasibility of an extradural nerve anastomosis technique for the restoration of a C5 and C6 avulsion of the brachial plexus.Nine fresh frozen human cadavers were used.The diameters,sizes,and locations of the extradural spinal nerve roots were observed.The lengths of the extradural spinal nerve roots and the distance between the neighboring nerve root outlets were measured and compared in the cervical segments.In the spinal canal,the ventral and dorsal roots were separated by the dura and arachnoid.The ventral and dorsal roots of C7 had sufficient lengths to anastomose those of C6.The ventral and dorsal of C4 had enough length to be transferred to those of C5,respectively.The feasibility of this extradural nerve anastomosis technique for restoring C5 and C6 avulsion of the brachial plexus in human cadavers was demonstrated in our anatomical study.

Valproic acid protects neurons and promotes neuronal regeneration after brachial plexus avulsion

Valproic acid has been shown to exert neuroprotective effects and promote neurite outgrowth in several peripheral nerve injury models. However, whether valproic acid can exert its beneficial effect on neurons after brachial plexus avulsion injury is currently unknown. In this study, brachial plexus root avulsion models, established in Wistar rats, were administered daily with valproic acid dis-solved in drinking water （300 mg/kg） or normal water. On days 1, 2, 3, 7, 14 and 28 after avulsion injury, tissues of the C 5-T 1 spinal cord segments of the avulsion injured side were harvested to in-vestigate the expression of Bcl-2, c-Jun and growth associated protein 43 by real-time PCR and western blot assay. Results showed that valproic acid significantly increased the expression of Bcl-2 and growth associated protein 43, and reduced the c-Jun expression after brachial plexus avulsion. Our findings indicate that valproic acid can protect neurons in the spinal cord and enhance neuronal regeneration fol owing brachial plexus root avulsion.

Functional compensative mechanism of upper limb with root avulsion of C5-C6 of brachial plexus after ipsilateral C7 transfer

Objective： To investigate the compensative mechanism of no further impairment of the upper limb after ipsilateral C7 transfer for treatment of root avulsion of C5-C6 of the brachial plexus. Methods： Sixty Sprague Dawley （SD） rats were randomly divided into a CT-transection group and a control group, 30 rats each. In the CT-transection group, the left forelimbs of the animals underwent transection of ipsilateral C7 nerve root while C5 and C6 nerve roots were avulsed. In the control group, the left forelimbs only underwent C5 and C6 root avulsion. The representative muscles of C7 （innervated mainly by C7） including latissimus dorsi, triceps, extensor carpi radialis brevis and extensor digitorum communis were evaluated with neurophysiological investigation, muscular histology and motor end plate histomorphometry 3, 6 and 12 weeks after operation. The right forelimbs of all rats were taken as the control sides. Results： Three weeks after operation, the recovery rates of amplitudes of compound muscle action potential （CMAP） and CMAP latency, muscular wet weight and cross-sec- tional area of muscle fibers, and area of postsynaptic membranes of those four representative muscles in the C7- transection group were significantly lower than those of the control group （P 〈0.05 or P 〈0.01）. Six weeks postoperatively, the recovery rates of CMAP amplitude and latency of the triceps showed no significant difference between the C7- transection group and the control group （P〉0.05）. For theextensor carpi radialis brevis and the extensor digitorum communis, the recovery rates of the cross-sectional area of muscle fibers, the amplitude and latency of CMAP and the area of postsynaptic membranes showed no significant dif- ference between the two groups （P 〉0.05）, while the rest parameters were still significantly different between the two group （P 〈0.05 or P 〈0.01）. As far as the ultramicrostructure was concerned in the CT-transection group, more motor end plates of four representative muscles were observed and their ultramicrostructure also had a tendency to mature as compared with those of 3 weeks postoperatively. Twelve weeks after operation, all parameters of the CT-transectJon group were not significantly different from those of the control group （P 〉0.05）. In the CT-transection group, the motor end plates were densely distributed and their ultramicrostructure in four representative muscles appeared to be mature as compared with those of the control group. Conclusions： After ipsilateral C7 transfer for treatment of root avulsion of C5-C6 of the brachial plexus, the nerve fibers of the lower trunk can compensatively innervate fibers of Crrepresentative muscles by means of motor end plate regeneration, so there is no further impairment on the injured upper limb.

Is it necessary to use the entire root as a donor when transferring contralateral C7 nerve to repair median nerve？

If a partial contralateral C7 nerve is transferred to a recipient injured nerve, results are not satisfactory. However, if an entire contralateral C7 nerve is used to repair two nerves, both recipient nerves show good recovery. These findings seem contradictory, as the above two methods use the same donor nerve, only the cutting method of the contralateral C7 nerve is different. To verify whether this can actually result in different repair effects, we divided rats with right total brachial plexus injury into three groups. In the entire root group, the entire contralateral C7 root was transected and transferred to the median nerve of the affected limb. In the posterior division group, only the posterior division of the contralateral C7 root was transected and transferred to the median nerve. In the entire root ＋ posterior division group, the entire contralateral C7 root was transected but only the posterior division was transferred to the median nerve. After neurectomy,the median nerve was repaired on the affected side in the three groups. At 8, 12, and 16 weeks postoperatively, electrophysiological examination showed that maximum amplitude, latency, muscle tetanic contraction force, and muscle fiber cross-sectional area of the flexor digitorum superficialis muscle were significantly better in the entire root and entire root ＋ posterior division groups than in the posterior division group. No significant difference was found between the entire root and entire root ＋ posterior division groups. Counts of myelinated axons in the median nerve were greater in the entire root group than in the entire root ＋ posterior division group, which were greater than the posterior division group. We conclude that for the same recipient nerve, harvesting of the entire contralateral C7 root achieved significantly better recovery than partial harvesting, even if only part of the entire root was used for transfer. This result indicates that the entire root should be used as a donor when transferring contralateral C7 nerve.

Comparison between direct repair and humana cellular nerve allografting during contralateral C7 transfer to the upper trunk for restoration of shoulder abduction and elbow flexion

Direct coaptation of contralateral C7 to the upper trunk could avoid the interposition of nerve grafts. We have successfully shortened the gap and graft lengths, and even achieved direct coaptation. However, direct repair can only be performed in some selected cases, and partial procedures still require autografts, which are the gold standard for repairing neurologic defects. As symptoms often occur after autografting, human acellular nerve allografts have been used to avoid concomitant symptoms. This study investigated the quality of shoulder abduction and elbow flexion following direct repair and acellular allografting to evaluate issues requiring attention for brachial plexus injury repair. Fifty-one brachial plexus injury patients in the surgical database were eligible for this retrospective study. Patients were divided into two groups according to different surgical methods. Direct repair was performed in 27 patients, while acellular nerve allografts were used to bridge the gap between the contralateral C7 nerve root and upper trunk in 24 patients. The length of the harvested contralateral C7 nerve root was measured intraoperatively. Deltoid and biceps muscle strength, and degrees of shoulder abduction and elbow flexion were examined according to the British Medical Research Council scoring system;meaningful recovery was defined as M3–M5. Lengths of anterior and posterior divisions of the contralateral C7 in the direct repair group were 7.64 ± 0.69 mm and 7.55 ± 0.69 mm, respectively, and in the acellular nerve allografts group were 6.46 ± 0.58 mm and 6.43 ± 0.59 mm, respectively. After a minimum of 4-year follow-up, meaningful recoveries of deltoid and biceps muscles in the direct repair group were 88.89% and 85.19%, respectively, while they were 70.83% and 66.67% in the acellular nerve allografts group. Time to C5/C6 reinnervation was shorter in the direct repair group compared with the acellular nerve allografts group. Direct repair facilitated the restoration of shoulder abduction and elbow flexion. Thus, if direct coaptation is not possible, use of acellular nerve allografts is a suitable option. This study was approved by the Medical Ethical Committee of the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, China (Application ID:[2017] 290) on November 14, 2017.

二期多组神经移位治疗臂丛神经根性撕脱伤的临床应用和疗效

目的分析治疗臂丛神经根性撕脱伤的二期手术方法及其效果。方法2001年8月～2003年4月8例全臂丛神经根性撕脱伤患者,年龄18～38岁。平均伤后6个月内,均应用以下术式治疗。手术步骤:一期手术,膈神经移位至臂丛上干前股,副神经移位至肩胛上神经;健侧C7神经移位至患侧尺神经;二期手术,第4、5、6、7肋间神经移位至桡神经和胸背神经,健侧C7神经经尺神经移位至正中神经。结果术后8例均获随访,时间为二期术后13～25个月,平均21个月。所有患者均有不同程度恢复,相应靶肌肉肌力恢复大于或等于M3为有效恢复,肌皮神经有效恢复6例,恢复率为75.0%;肩胛上神经有效恢复3例,恢复率为37.5%;桡神经有效恢复3例,恢复率为37.5%;胸背神经有效恢复6例,恢复率为75.0%;正中神经有效恢复5例,恢复率为62.5%。感觉恢复情况:正中神经感觉4例为S3,3例为S2,1例为S1。结论二期多组神经移位安全有效,对部分早期臂丛神经损伤并要求缩短手术次数的患者,是一种可选择的方法。

超声引导下选择性颈神经根阻滞在肩关节镜术后镇痛中的应用

目的比较超声引导下选择性颈神经根阻滞与传统肌间沟臂丛阻滞在肩关节镜术后镇痛的应用效果。方法择期行肩关节镜手术全麻患者70例,男25例,女45例,年龄18~75岁,随机分为两组,选择性颈神经根阻滞组(S组)和传统肌间沟臂丛阻滞组(ISB组),每组35例。S组在超声引导下分别给予C5、C6神经根0.5%罗哌卡因各5ml;ISB组在超声引导下给予0.5%罗哌卡因10ml。记录神经阻滞起效时间;记录术后4、12、24h的VAS评分和前臂(屈肘、屈腕、屈指)MBS运动评分;记录术后24h曲马多用量,以及患者满意度和不良反应发生情况。结果 S组起效时间明显短于ISB组[(8.24±2.96)min vs(13.85±7.45)min,P<0.01];S组术后12h的VAS评分明显低于ISB组[(1.7±0.8)分vs(3.6±0.7)分,P<0.05],术后4h前臂(屈肘、屈腕、屈指)MBS运动评分明显高于ISB组[(3.5±0.6)分vs(0.8±0.3)分,(3.4±0.5)分vs(0.9±0.4)分,(3.6±0.6)分vs(0.7±0.4)分,P<0.01];术后24h曲马多用量明显少于ISB组[(37.5±35.9)mg vs(112.5±43.5)mg,P<0.05],患者满意率明显高于ISB组(88%vs 56%,P<0.05),术后不良反应两组差异无统计学意义。结论在肩关节镜手术后镇痛中,超声引导下选择性颈神经根阻滞优于臂丛神经阻滞。

颈5-6神经根阻滞技术用于肩关节镜术后镇痛的随机对照研究

目的:比较超声引导下肌间沟臂丛神经阻滞和颈5-6神经根阻滞用于肩关节镜术后镇痛的效果。方法:选取北京大学第三医院运动医学研究所择期全身麻醉行肩关节镜下韧带断裂修复手术患者40例,美国麻醉医师协会(American society of anesthesiologists,ASA)分级Ⅰ～Ⅱ级。随机分为肌间沟臂丛阻滞组(I组)和颈5-6神经根阻滞组(C组),每组20例。40例患者均在全身麻醉前进行超声引导下单次神经阻滞,I组经肌间沟入路行臂丛神经阻滞,推注0. 2%罗哌卡因10 m L; C组经侧颈部入路行颈5-6神经根阻滞,推注0. 2%罗哌卡因10 m L。记录穿刺后感觉及运动阻滞起效时间,手术时间,术后持续镇痛时间,术后1、6、12、24 h数字疼痛强度量表(numerical rating scale,NRS)评分及患者手指运动情况。记录药物不良反应及患者满意度,主要终点为神经阻滞后到术后1 d患者术侧肩关节静息及运动疼痛情况,次要终点为患肢手指运动情况及患者满意度。结果:I组镇痛持续时间(571. 50±70. 11) min,C组(615. 60±112. 15) min,两组差异无统计学意义(P> 0. 05)。C组术后1、6、12 h静态及动态NRS评分均低于I组,差异有统计学意义(P <0. 05),24 h两组间静态及动态NRS评分差异无统计学意义(P> 0. 05)。神经阻滞后患肢手部肌力,C组为5(4,5)级,I组为4(2,4)级,两组间差异有统计学意义(P <0. 01);手部支配区感觉评分,桡神经C组为1(0,2),I组为2(1,2),正中神经C组为0(0,2),I组为2(1,2),尺神经C组为0(0,1),I组为1(1,2),两组间差异均有统计学意义(P <0. 01);术侧肩部感觉评分,C组为2(1,2),I组为2(1,2),两组间差异无统计学意义(P> 0. 05);患者满意度评分,I组为8 (6,9),C组为9 (8,10),差异有统计学意义(P <0. 01)。结论:肌间沟臂丛神经阻滞和颈5-6神经根阻滞都可以满足肩关节镜术后镇痛需求,但颈5-6神经根阻滞后患肢前臂及手部活动不受限,麻木感更为局限,患者满意度更高。

大鼠颈7神经根及其束支运动纤维含量与分布特点的研究

目的了解大鼠C7神经根各束支运动纤维含量及其功能定位,为临床选择神经供体提供依据。方法雄性SD大鼠30只,采用显微解剖方法将大鼠C7及其所属束支、上肢各神经终支分离,测量各束支截面积及计数运动纤维含量。结果大鼠C7神经根前股发出一定数量的运动纤维到肌皮神经、正中神经,总量约207根,但在C7前股定位不明确;后股发出相应的运动纤维束支到桡神经、腋神经与胸背神经,总量约323根,这些束支在C7后股的定位较明确。C7神经根所支配的范围很广,其中以C7后股发出的胸背神经束支支配的背阔肌占比例最大(运动纤维含量>50%)。结论大鼠C7神经根前、后股束支、运动纤维分布与人类相似,是研究C7神经根选择性移位较好的动物模型。

臂丛根性撕脱伤后神经根回植术的大鼠动物模型

目的 :建立合理的臂丛根性撕脱伤后神经根回植术的大鼠动物模型。方法 :在手术显微镜下 ,采用前入路 ,将C6神经根从脊髓上撕脱 ,咬除同侧C5椎体下外部分 ,显露脊髓 ;切断肌皮神经 ,切取长约 3 0mm尺神经桥接肌皮神经与脊髓间的缺损 ,并将神经近端植入脊髓。术后观察手术侧前后肢的一般情况 ;6个月后 ,观察神经的解剖与组织学的连续性。结果 :大鼠存活良好 ,手术侧前肢无坏死、溃疡、脱落 ,后肢无瘫痪 ;从脊髓到肱二头肌 ,神经的连续性完整 ;组织学检查见桥接神经段内有神经纤维再生。结论 :该模型显露脊髓和切取桥接用神经方便 ,再植位置准确 ,便于直接观察神经根再植后神经再生及功能恢复情况 ,无明显的脊髓损伤并发症 ,较好模拟了臂丛根性撕脱伤后神经前根的回植。

选择性臂丛神经根切断术治疗上肢痉挛性脑瘫的初步报告

目的：研究治疗上肢痉挛性脑瘫新的手术方法。方法：利用臂丛神经根相互代偿的原理设计了选择性臂丛神经根切断术治疗上肢痉挛性脑瘫的方法，并选择２例病例进行治疗。结果：术后２例患者手部痉挛明显减轻，功能得到显著改善。结论：选择性臂丛神经根切断术对减轻上肢痉挛性脑瘫疗效显著。

胼胝体切断对健侧C7移位术后跨大脑两半球功能重组影响的实验研究

[目的]明确胼胝体在健侧C7移位术后跨大脑两半球功能重组过程中所起的作用。[方法]将45只SD大鼠随机分为正常对照组、健侧C7移位模型术后和胼胝体切断术后3个月、5个月、7个月、10个月共9组。采用运动皮层内微电极电刺激技术,定量评价大鼠患肢正中神经代表区在双侧初级运动皮层(MI)内的可塑性变化。[结果]健侧C7移位正中神经术后3个月,患肢正中神经代表区在双侧MI均未出现,术后5个月则仅出现于患肢同侧MI,术后7个月在双侧MI均出现,术后10个月则只出现于对侧MI。而胼胝体切断术后5、7和10个月,患肢正中神经代表区均只出现于患肢同侧MI。[结论]在健侧C7移位大鼠模型上证实术后10个月内运动皮层出现了跨大脑两半球的功能重组,胼胝体在该重组中起关键的通道作用。

臂丛损伤脊髓运动神经元与神经根GAP-43mRNA表达

目的:探讨臂丛根性撕脱伤后脊髓腹角运动神经元胞体及其神经根GAP-43mRNA的表达变化及其影响因素,为臂丛损伤的修复治疗提供理论依据。方法:本实验创立三种臂丛根性撕脱伤模型:C7前根撕脱(Ⅰ组);C7前根撕脱+切断同侧C5￣T1后根(Ⅱ组);C7前根撕脱+C5和C6之间作同侧脊髓半横断(Ⅲ组)。术后2周按CBS评分标准检查动物神经缺失症状,用SYBRGreen荧光定量RT-PCR方法检测脊髓腹角运动神经元胞体及其神经根GAP-43mRNA的表达改变。结果:根据CBS评分标准,对照组计为0分,Ⅰ组计分较低、Ⅲ组计分最高。对照组C7神经元胞体和C7神经根中GAP-43mRNA表达量相近,但三种损伤组术后2周神经元胞体内GAP-43mRNA表达均上调,而神经根内表达却下调。结论:(1)臂丛根性撕脱伤后脊髓腹角运动神经元胞体GAP-43mRNA表达受突触前机制的调控;(2)臂丛损伤2周时神经元胞体内GAP-43mRNA表达呈现高峰期,此时进行神经移位术将显著提高神经修复的效果。