Preliminary results of posterior contralateral cervical 7 nerve transposition in the treatment of upper limb plegia after a stroke. Issue 11 (6th September 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Guan, Jingyu; Lin, Jun; Guan, Xueqing; Jin, Qiang; Chen, Lei; Shan, Qiao; Wu, Jianheng; Cai, Xiaodong; Zhang, Doudou; Tao, Wei; Chen, Fuyong; Chen, Yili; Yang, Shaofeng; Fan, Youwu; Wu, Heming; Zhang, Han
• Is Part Of: Brain and behavior. Volume 10:Issue 11(2020)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2020-09-06
• Subjects: central paralysis -- contralateral C7 nerve root -- nerve root transfer -- posterior spinal route; Neurology -- Periodicals; Neurosciences -- Periodicals; Psychology -- Periodicals; Psychiatry -- Periodicals; 616.8005
• DOI: 10.1002/brb3.1821
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2162-3279

Abstract

Abstract: Objective: This study aimed to explore a shorter and safer contralateral C7 transposition pathway for the treatment of central upper limb paralysis. Methods: From July 2018 to March 2019, 10 patients with central upper limb paralysis underwent posterior cervical 7 nerve transposition. The age of these patients ranged within 31–58 years old (average: 44 years old). These patients comprised of eight male patients and two female patients. Nine patients had cerebral hemorrhage, and one patient had a cerebral infarction. Furthermore, nine patients presented with spastic paralysis of the upper limbs and one patient presented with nonspastic paralysis. The duration of plegia before the operation ranged from 6 to 60 months (average: 26 months). The surgical procedure included transposition of the contralateral cervical 7 nerve root via a posterior vertebral approach under general anesthesia, and the distal part of the contralateral cervical 7 nerve was anastomosed with the proximal part of the ipsilateral cervical 7 nerve. Results: The length of the contralateral cervical 7 nerve was 5.16 ± 0.21 cm, which was directly anastomosed with the ipsilateral cervical 7 nerve. Neither case needed nerve transplantation. Most patients had temporary numbness in their healthy fingers, which all disappeared within three months. Up to now, the follow‐up results are as follows: The spasticity of the affected upper limbs in five patients is lower than that before the operation, the pain and temperature sensation of the affected upper limbs in six patients are better than before the operation. Conclusion: The distance of nerve transposition can be shortened by a posterior vertebral approach operation, where the contralateral C7 nerve can be anastomosed directly with the ipsilateral C7 nerve which may be effective for nerve regeneration and functional recovery. However, this conclusion still needs further research and verification. Abstract : This study aimed to explore a shorter and safer contralateral C7 transposition pathway for the treatment of central upper limb paralysis. The distance of nerve transposition can be shortened by a posterior vertebral approach operation, where the contralateral C7 nerve can be anastomosed directly with the ipsilateral C7 nerve. In this approach, nerve transplantation is not needed and it is conducive to nerve regeneration and functional recovery.