Anatomical study and clinical application of contralateral cervical 7 nerve transfer surgery through anterior vertebral pathway in the treatment of central upper limb spastic paralysis
Yan Zhengcun1, Zhang Hengzhu1, Gu Jiaxiang2, Liu Hongjun2, Meng Zhaoxiang3, Luo Wenmiao1, Wang Xiaodong1, Wang Xingdong1, Wei Min1
1Department of Neurosurgery, Clinical Medical College of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225001, China; 2Department of Hand Surgery, Clinical Medical College of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225001, China; 3Department of Rehabilitation, Clinical Medical College of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225001, China
Abstract:Objective To observe the anatomical characteristics of cervical 7 (C7) nerve location, route and length during anterior vertebral C7 never transposition, and to observe the safety and clinical effect of contralateral C7 nerve transfer surgery through the anterior vertebral pathway. Methods (1) Four fresh head and neck anatomical specimens, including two males and two females aged 46-72 years with an average of 59 years, were selected. Contralateral C7 nerve transfer surgery was simulated through the anterior vertebral pathway. The C7 nerve from the proximal intervertebral foramen to the distal bifurcation was separated. The vertical distance between the C7 nerve and the medial edge of the clavicle and the length of the C7 nerve were measured. The end of the C7 nerve was cut for standby. The same procedure was performed on the C7 nerve on the other side. The anterior vertebral space was separated until both sides were connected. The distal end of one C7 nerve root was transferred through the anterior vertebral space and sutured to the distal end of the other C7 nerve. The shortest anterior C7 nerve transfer was measured. (2) The clinical data of 2 patients with central upper limb spastic paralysis after intracerebral hemorrhage in North Jiangsu People's Hospital from November 2019 to December 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were female, aged 50 years and 51 years, with upper limb paralysis on the affected side, muscle strength of grade 0 and grade 1 respectively, and high muscle tone. Both patients were treated with anterior vertebral canal C7 nerve transposition on the healthy side. Patients sensory and motor functions of the upper limbs, recovery of muscle strength and tension of the upper limbs and surgical complications were observated. Results (1) The bilateral C7 nerve was fully exposed and located through the anterior approach of the vertebral body. The C7 nerve ran between the anterior scalene muscle and middle scalene muscle. The vertical distance between the C7 nerve and the medial edge of the clavicle was 1.7-2.5 (2.1 ± 0.3) cm, the length of the C7 nerve trunk was 5.6-6.8 (6.4 ± 0.5) cm, and the shortest C7 nerve meridian displacement through the anterior vertebral pathway was 4.8-5.7 (5.3 ± 0.4) cm. (2) Two patients with central upper limb paralysis received C7 nerve transfer surgery via the anterior vertebral pathway. After the operation, the motor function of the healthy side of the patient returned to normal, pain and numbness in the healthy side of the upper limb improved within 1 month, and the spasm symptoms of the affected side of the two patients were remarkably relieved. One patient was followed up for 12 months. At the last follow-up, the upper limb of the affected side felt normal, the proximal muscle strength was grade 3, and the distal muscle strength recovered to grade 2. Another patient was followed up for 8 months. The patient's proximal and distal muscle strengths were grades 1 and 0, respectively. There were no complications such as incision infection and impaired muscle strength of the healthy side in a patients. Conclusion The C7 nerve is a safe, feasible and a better choice for central upper limb spastic paralysis and anterior C7 nerve transfer on the healthy side of the vertebral body.
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Yan Zhengcun, Zhang Hengzhu, Gu Jiaxiang, Liu Hongjun, Meng Zhaoxiang, Luo Wenmiao, Wang Xiaodong, Wang Xingdong, Wei Min. Anatomical study and clinical application of contralateral cervical 7 nerve transfer surgery through anterior vertebral pathway in the treatment of central upper limb spastic paralysis. Chinese Journal of Anatomy and Clinics, 2022, 27(2): 70-75.
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