Nerve transfers using collateral branches of the brachial plexus as donors in patients with upper palsy--thirty years' experience.

Background: Nerve transfers in cases of directly irreparable or high-level extensive brachial plexus traction injuries have been done using a variety of donor nerves with various success, but an ideal method has not been established. The purpose of this study is to analyze the results of nerve transfers using the thoracodorsal and medial pectoral nerves as donors in patients with upper palsy.

Methods: This retrospective study included 40 patients with 29 procedures using the thoracodorsal nerve and 33 procedures using the medial pectoral nerve as donors for reinnervation of the musculocutaneous or axillary nerve.

Histological features of gastric cardia in adults: an autopsy study.

Background And Aims: The existence, histology and origin of gastric cardiac mucosa are controversial. The aim of the present study was to determine the existence, histological characteristics and length of cardiac mucosa and to correlate these features with the patients' age and the presence of inflammation in the gastric cardia and/or esophagus. METHODS; The cardiac mucosa within the whole esophagogastric junction was histologically analyzed in 38 consecutive autopsy specimens and measured in 24 cases.