End-to-end nerve repair is a widely used and successful experimental microsurgical technique via which a denervated nerve stump is supplied with reinnervating motor or sensory axons. On the other hand, questions are still raised as concerns the reliability and usefulness of the end-to-side coaptation technique. This study had the aim of the reinnervation of the denervated forearm flexor muscles in baboons through the use of an end-to-side coaptation technique and the synergistic action of the radial nerve. The median and ulnar nerves were transected, and the motor branch of the radial nerve supplying the extensor carpi radialis muscles (MBECR) was used as an axon donor for the denervated superficial forearm flexors. A nerve graft was connected to the axon donor nerve through end-to-side coaptation, while at the other end of the graft an end-to-end connection was established so as to reinnervate the motor branch of the forearm flexors. Electrophysiological investigations and functional tests indicated successful reinnervation of the forearm flexors and recovery of the flexor function. The axon counts in the nerve segments proximal (1038+/-172 S.E.M.) and distal (1050+/-116 S.E.M.) to the end-to-side coaptation site and in the nerve graft revealed that motor axon collaterals were given to the graft without the loss or appreciable misdirection of the axons in the MBECR nerve distal to the coaptation site. The nerve graft was found to contain varying, but satisfactory numbers of axons (269+/-59 S.E.M.) which induced morphological reinnervation of the end-plates in the flexor muscles. Accordingly, we have provided evidence that end-to-side coaptation can be a useful technique when no free donor nerve is available. This technique is able to induce limited, but still useful reinnervation for the flexor muscles, thereby producing a synergistic action of the flexor and extensor muscles which allows the hand to achieve a basic gripping function.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.expneurol.2009.03.027 | DOI Listing |
Ann Plast Surg
January 2025
Centre for Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, Department of Clinical and Surgical Andrology, University Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany.
Genital gender-affirming masculinization surgeries require handling of small vessels and nerves handling in deep planes. Since the introduction of the Symani Surgical System for robotic-assisted microsurgery in clinical practice, its value in handling small and deep vessels via additional distal motion axes, motion scaling, and tremor elimination has been demonstrated. We combined the Symani with the robotic exoscope RoboticScope to achieve maximum flexibility and ergonomics for the microsurgeon.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPlast Reconstr Surg
December 2024
Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Dentistry, The University of Hong Kong.
The traditional technique for mental never reconstruction after segmental mandibulectomy is to bridge the gap between the proximal end of the inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) and the mental nerve stump. However, it often presents significant challenges. In cases of proximal IAN stump is close to skull base or kept inside the remaining mandible body and ramus, approaching the proximal end of the IAN can be very challenging.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFHand Clin
August 2024
Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario K7L 5G2, Canada. Electronic address:
Modern end-to-side (ETS) nerve transfers have undergone several permutations since the early 1990's. Preclinical data have revealed important mechanisms and patterns of donor axon outgrowth into the recipient nerves and target reinnervation. The versatility of ETS nerve transfers can also potentially address several processes that limit functional recovery after nerve injury by babysitting motor end-plates and/or supporting the regenerative environment within the denervated nerve.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFHandchir Mikrochir Plast Chir
April 2024
Klinik für Hand-, Plastische und Rekonstruktive Chirurgie, Schwerbrandverletztenzentrum, Klinik für Plastische Chirurgie der Universität Heidelberg, BG Unfallklinik Ludwigshafen, Ludwigshafen, Germany.
Background: In recent years, various robotic systems specifically designed for microsurgical tasks have been developed and approved. There is not much evidence for these systems to date. In our study, we examined the use of robot-assisted microsurgery in the reconstruction of the lower extremity.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSurg Innov
February 2024
Department of Plastic Surgery and Hand Surgery, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
Robotic systems have successfully been introduced into other surgical fields in the past. First attempts with different setups are made in the field of microsurgery. The Symani® Surgical System, a flexible platform consisting of two robotic arms, features motion scaling with tremor filtration to address the demands and complexity of microsurgery.
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