Endoscopic harvesting of the ulnar nerve in the forearm for the treatment of brachial plexus avulsion injury: anatomical study and clinical significance / 中国微创外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To study the ulnar nerve and its adjacent structures in the forearm and understand the anatomic basis for endoscopic harvesting of the ulnar nerve for the treatment of brachial plexus avulsion injury. Methods Ulnar nerves and their adjacent structures in 6 formaldehyde solution fixed upper limb specimen and 26 fresh upper limb specimens were carefully dissected and observed and measured. The entry path and implementation were designed according to the observations. Simulated operation was performed in 6 fresh autopsy specimens Results In the forearm, ulnar nerve passes through the flexor carpi ulnaris under the medial epicondyle of the humerus and the dorsal branch of the hand passes between the ulnar bone and flexor carpi ulnaris. Also the ulnar nerve descends through intermuscular space, accompaning the ulnar artery in the distant part of the forearm and the artery lies laterally along the nerve. The simulated operations were successfully done in all the 6 specimens. Conclusions The anatomy of the ulnar nerve in the forearm is fairly fixed with no crossing with important structures in its path, incisions of 1～2cm are made above the pisiform bone and under the medial epicondyle of the humerus 3～5cm respecitvely, After isolation of the ulnar nerve's two crosses from the muscle, the remaining part of the ulnar nerve and its adjacent structures are easily dissected. It is concluded that it is safe and reliable to harvest the ulnar nerve in the forearm with endoscopy.