A novel dual nerve transfer for restoration of shoulder function and sensory recovery of the hand, in patients with C567 traumatic root avulsion of the brachial plexus.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of our study is to determine the anatomical viability in cadavers of a novel doble nerve transfer technique for simultaneous reanimation of shoulder abduction and sensory recovery of the hand, in patients with brachial plexus injuries sustaining a C5-C6-C7 roots avulsion. These new transfers should be complemented in the clinical setting with other classic nerve transfers, i.e.: (1) a spinal accessory to suprascapular for shoulder abduction and stability, (2) ulnar nerve fascicles to the biceps branches of the musculocutaneous for elbow flexion, and (3) intercostal to triceps branches for elbow extension. METHODS: The proposed surgical technique includes (1) transferring motor fascicles of the median nerve (MNF), as donors to the axillary nerve (AN), and (2) the whole medial antebrachial cutaneous nerve (MACN) to the lateral contribution (sensory) of the median nerve (LCMN), both without the use of interposed nerve grafts. These techniques were performed in eight cadaveric upper extremities. Analyzed variables were: donor and receptor nerves diameter, length and distance of donor and receptors nerves, and axonal count. RESULTS: The mean distance between the MNF and its point of coaptation to the AN was 19 mm. The average length of each one of the MNF, after distal dissection, was 46.5 mm. The average diameter of each fascicle of the median nerve at its coaptation point with the axillary nerve was 0.8 mm, while the average diameter of the latter was 3.9 mm. The average distance between the MACN and its point of coaptation to the LCMN, was 16.5 mm. The average diameter of the MACN and the LCMN at their point of coaptation, were 2.7 mm and 3.5 mm, respectively. CONCLUSION: These nerve transfers are anatomically viable and could be a complement for other currently used techniques that can be employed in severely injured C567 brachial plexus patients.

Abdominopelvic Actinomycosis Mimicking a Malignant Ovarian Neoplasia: Case Report and Review of Literature.

Abdominal actinomycosis is a chronic, granulomatous, and indolent disease produced by Actinomyces spp., a gram-positive filamentous bacillus, anaerobic, commensal in the oral cavity, gastrointestinal tract, and pelvic mucosa. Diagnosis is usually difficult and delayed due to its insidious presentation. It can simulate different neoplastic, inflammatory as well as infectious diseases such as tuberculosis, nocardiosis, or mycosis. In most cases, the diagnosis is made postoperatively with the histopathological report, and only 10% of them are diagnosed preoperatively. We present two cases of abdominopelvic actinomycosis simulating advanced ovarian neoplasia.