Pulos, Nicholas

Background: Functional recovery after acellular nerve allograft (ANA) reconstruction remains inferior to that after autologous nerve grafting, but improved outcomes have been demonstrated with the addition of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Controversy exists regarding the optimal cell-delivery method to enhance ANA reconstructions. The authors investigated the functional recovery of ANAs after dynamic seeding versus microinjection of MSCs. Methods: Forty Lewis rats underwent reconstruction of a 10-mm sciatic nerve defect. Animals were divided into 4 groups: reversed autograft, ANA alone, dynamically seeded ANA, or ANA injected with MSCs. During the survival period, ultrasound measurements of the tibialis anterior muscle cross-sectional area were performed. At 12 weeks, functional recovery was evaluated using measurements of ankle contracture, compound muscle action potential, maximum isometric tetanic force, muscle mass, histomorphometry, and immunofluorescence. Results: The dynamic seeding and microinjection groups demonstrated higher cross-sectional tibialis anterior muscle area recovery than autografts and ANAs alone at week 8 and weeks 4 and 8, respectively. The ankle contracture and compound muscle action potential amplitude recovery were superior in autografts and both seeding methods compared with ANAs alone. The microinjection group demonstrated significantly higher isometric tetanic force, muscle mass, and number of axons compared with ANAs alone. Both seeding methods showed higher CD34 densities compared with ANAs alone. No significant differences between dynamic seeding and microinjection were observed in functional or histologic outcomes. Conclusions: The addition of MSCs to ANAs demonstrated earlier motor regeneration compared with autografts and ANAs alone. Both seeding methods improved functional outcomes in the rat sciatic nerve defect model.

» Iatrogenic nerve injuries may occur after any intervention of the upper extremity. » Causes of iatrogenic nerve lesions include direct sharp or thermal injury, retraction, compression from implants or compartment syndrome, injection, patient positioning, radiation, and cast/splint application, among others. » Optimal treatment of iatrogenic peripheral nerve lesions relies on early and accurate diagnosis. » Advanced imaging modalities (e.g., ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging) and electrodiagnostic studies aid and assist in preoperative planning. » Optimal treatment of iatrogenic injuries is situation-dependent and depends on the feasibility of direct repair, grafting, and functional transfers.

Background: A cohort of patients with traumatic brachial plexus injuries (BPIs) underwent elective amputation following unsuccessful surgical reconstruction or delayed presentation. The results of amputation with and without a myoelectric prosthesis (MEP) using nonintuitive controls were compared. We sought to determine the benefits of amputation, and whether fitting with an MEP was feasible and functional. Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of patients with BPI who underwent elective upper-extremity amputation at a single institution. Medical records were reviewed for demographics, injury and reconstruction details, amputation characteristics, outcomes, and complications. Prosthesis use and MEP function were assessed. The minimum follow-up for clinical outcomes was 12 months. Results: Thirty-two patients with BPI and an average follow-up of 53 months underwent elective amputation between June 2000 and June 2020. Among the cases were 18 transhumeral amputations, 12 transradial amputations, and 2 wrist disarticulations. There were 29 pan-plexus injuries, 1 partial C5-sparing pan-plexus injury, 1 lower-trunk with lateral cord injury, and 1 lower-trunk injury. Amputation occurred, on average, at 48.9 months following BPI and 36.5 months following final reconstruction. Ten patients were fitted for an MEP with electromyographic signal control from muscles not normally associated with the intended function (nonintuitive control). Average visual analog scale pain scores decreased post-amputation: from 4.8 pre-amputation to 3.3 for the MEP group and from 5.4 to 4.4 for the non-MEP group. Average scores on the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand questionnaire decreased post-amputation, but not significantly: from 35 to 30 for the MEP group and from 43 to 40 for the non-MEP group. Patients were more likely to be employed following amputation than they were before amputation. No patient expressed regret about undergoing amputation. All patients in the MEP group reported regular use of their prosthesis compared with 29% of patients with a traditional prosthesis. All patients in the MEP group demonstrated functional terminal grasp/release that they considered useful. Conclusions: Amputation is an effective treatment for select patients with BPI for whom surgical reconstruction is unsuccessful. Patients who underwent amputation reported decreased mechanical pain, increased employment rates, and a high rate of satisfaction following surgery. In amputees with sufficient nonintuitive electromyographic signals, MEPs allow for terminal grasp/release and are associated with high rates of prosthesis use. Level of Evidence: Therapeutic Level III . See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Background: Adult traumatic brachial plexus injuries (BPIs) can result in severe impairment following penetrating wounds, falls, and motor vehicle accidents or other high-energy trauma. Objective: Quantify functional outcomes of adult patients with a BPI using a myoelectric orthosis to restore elbow flexion. Study design: Retrospective review. Methods: A clinic specializing in the BPI treatment at a large academic medical center tested nineteen adult patients with BPI. These patients had failed to achieve antigravity elbow flexion following their injury and observation or surgical reconstruction. They were provided a myoelectric elbow orthosis (MEO) if they had detectable electromyography signals. Results: There was significant improvement in strength and significant reductions in function and pain when using an MEO. Following initiation of the MEO, 12 of the 19 patients had clinical improvements in muscle strength, 15 patients showed improvement in their DASH, and 13 patients reported improvements in their Visual Analog Scale. Conclusion: The use of an MEO improves elbow flexion strength, increases function, and reduces pain in the majority of patients with BPI and inadequate elbow flexion following observation or surgical reconstruction.

» The incidence of brachial plexus birth injury (BPBI) in the United States is declining and now occurs in <1 per 1,000 births. » The gold standard for predicting the need for early intervention remains serial examination. » Early treatment of BPBI with reconstructive surgery requires the ability to perform both interposition nerve grafting and nerve transfers. » Given the heterogeneity of lesions, the evidence is largely limited to retrospective comparative studies and case series.

Case: We present a case of a 33-year-old left hand–dominant/right hand–involved active duty Navy sailor woman with volar radial wrist pain. She underwent scaphoid cyst excision and bone grafting as well as tenotomy. Intraoperatively, she was noted to have a flexor carpi radialis brevis (FCRB) tendon that was transected. After surgery, her 1-year outcomes demonstrated range of motion improved equivalent with her contralateral side, her visual analogue scale (VAS) pain score had decreased to 1, and her QuickDASH and Patient-Rated Wrist Evaluation improved. Conclusions: Our case represents 1-year outcome after surgical release of a FCRB. Our patient's pain and functional scores exceeded the minimal clinically important difference.