Back to Annual Meeting Posters

Introduction: During the period between February, 1997 and December, 2003, nineteen patients were operated on by the Hand Surgery and Microsurgery Service of the Pedro Ernesto University Hospital of the Rio de Janeiro State University. All patients suffered from a complete injury of the brachial plexus with at least three nerve root avulsions from the spinal cord. The neurotization using the contralateral C7 nerve root was performed in all cases.

Methods: Ten adults along with three children underwent clinical evaluation, including the monofilament test, two-point discrimination test, grip strength, thumb-finger pinch and motor function assessment of the donor limb for the adults and wrinkle test associated with an inspection of the motor function of the healthy superior member for the children. The aim of the clinical study was to detect the likelihood of significant neurological impairment related to the donor upper limb.

Results: None of the cases exhibited any motor alteration. A decrease in the fine sensitivity affecting the median nerve area was detected in seven adults. One child showed a subtle reduction of the skin wrinkles in the thumb, index and ring finger in the wrinkle test. Average results within the normal range were found in the grip strength test and in the thumb-finger pinch test.

Conclusion: We have not found any significant impairment or disability affecting the contralateral healthy limb, used as the source for the C7 neurotization, according to our clinical assessment.