Contralateral C7 nerve root transfer in pediatric brachial plexus injury with complete root avulsion
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.59156/pybva867Keywords:
Brachial plexus, Contralateral C7, Root avulsion, Technical noteAbstract
Background: complete brachial plexus injuries are among the most severe forms of peripheral nerve injury, with a significant impact on function and quality of life. In these cases, the availability of donor nerves is limited. Transfer of the contralateral C7 nerve root represents a reconstructive alternative due to its high axonal contribution, although this technique had not been previously reported in the regional literature.
Objectives: to describe the technique of transferring the contralateral C7 nerve root using a retrosternocleidomastoid approach and a double sural nerve autograft.
Technique description: in a 2-year-old patient with a complete traumatic avulsion of the C5-T1 nerve roots, bilateral dissection of the brachial plexuses was performed using supraclavicular approaches. The contralateral C7 nerve root was transferred to the anterior division of the inferior primary trunk on the affected side using a double sural nerve autograft tunneled via a retrosternocleidomastoid approach.
Conclusion: transfer of the contralateral C7 root via a retrosternocleidomastoid approach and double sural autograft constitutes a feasible and safe technique for the reconstruction of complete brachial plexus injuries, representing the first report of this surgical strategy in our country.
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References
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