Localization of the lateral cutaneous branch of subcostal nerve in iliac crest region and its application in the free sensory superficial circumflex iliac artery perforator flap / 中华显微外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To analyze the feasibility of applying transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulator and high-frequency ultrasound in superficial nerve positioning for detection anatomical location in the area of lateral lip of the iliac crest by lateral cutaneous branch of subcostal nerve(LCSN). The significance of using the nerve as a free sensory superficial circumflex iliac artery perforator flap was discussed.Methods:The data of patients who underwent the repair of defects on limbs with free perforator flap or composite flap of superficial iliac circumflex artery carrying sensory nerve and the volunteers who agreed to have the location of the LCSN measured between October, 2018 and October, 2020 were collected. The LCSN were located by percutaneous electrical nerve stimulation and ultrasound, and the patients were measured and located during surgery. Using Passing-Bablok regression and Bland-Altman graph to evaluated the consistency between transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, ultrasound and the surgical positioning.Results:A total of 43 subjects, including 22 patients and 21 volunteers, were selected for locating the LCSN. Thirty-nine males and 4 females, with an average age of 39 years old and an average BMI of 24.08. The operation time of percutaneous nerve electrical stimulation was(6±1) min, and the detection distance was(80.7±5.9) mm. The high-frequency ultrasound was(23±4) min, and the distance was(81.2± 6.6) mm. The average operation time of surgical measured distance was(80.9±8.2)(65-100) mm, the diameter of nerve was(2.3±0.8)(1.0-4.0) mm, and the operation time was(5±1) min. A 95% CI of Passing-Bablok regression intercept and slope of operation, percutaneous electrical nerve stimulation and ultrasoundincluded 0 and 1, respectively. The points on Bland-Altman plot were distributed on both sides, and 95% CI of total mean difference, total intercept and slope included 0. Therefore, it was can be considered that the application of percutaneous electrical nerve stimulation and ultrasound in LCSN localization has good consistency.Conclusion:The location point of the LCSN crossing the iliac crest which detected by transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation and high-frequency ultrasound detection was close to the measurement taken during the operation. It was also showed that both of them can be used for preoperative locationing of the sensory branch of the sensory nerve flap, optimizing the design of the flap, shortening the operation time, and reducing the unnecessary injury in operation.