Gender, side to side and BMI differences in long thoracic nerve conduction velocity: A novel technique.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to describe a new technique to record long thoracic nerve conduction velocity through the axilla as well as to assist in establishing normative values for latency and amplitude of the long thoracic nerve and to evaluate side to side, gender and BMI differences.

Methods: 26 healthy subjects (12 males/14 females) participated in the study with data collected bilaterally resulting in 52 limbs studied. Surface recording was over the serratus anterior muscle with the recording electrode located on the rib closest to a distance within a standardized range of 22-24 cm distal to the acromion.