Purpose
We conducted an anatomic study to provide detailed information on the pectoral nerves
and anatomic data on the transfer of the pectoral nerves to the axillary nerve. Moreover,
we experimentally determined the feasibility of transferring the pectoral nerves to
the suprascapular nerve in upper brachial plexus injury.
Methods
We dissected 26 brachial plexus from 15 fresh cadavers. The origin, location, course,
and branching of the pectoral nerves were recorded. The length and the diameter of
the pectoral nerves were measured. The diameter of the suprascapular and axillary
nerves was recorded. In all dissections, we assessed the feasibility of directly transferring
the pectoral nerves to the suprascapular and axillary nerves.
Results
We found 3 constant branches of pectoral nerves arising from 3 distinct origins in
20 cases, and 3 constant branches arising from 2 distinct origins in 6 cases. The
C7 sent nerve fibers to all 3 branches. The average length and diameter of the superior,
middle, and inferior branches of the pectoral nerves were 65 mm, 110 mm, and 105 mm,
and 2.0 mm, 2.3 mm, ad 2.4 mm, respectively. The average diameter of the suprascapular
and axillary were 2.8 mm and 3.6 mm, respectively. The superior branch reached the
suprascapular and axillary nerves in 17 and 8 cases. The middle and inferior branches
reached the suprascapular and axillary nerve in all dissections.
Conclusions
With an adequate length, diameter, and nerve composition, the middle and inferior
branches of the pectoral nerves are suitable donor nerves to the axillary nerve and
a potential source of reinnervation of the suprascapular nerve in upper brachial plexus
injury.
Key words
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Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
September 8,
2009
Received:
May 26,
2009
Footnotes
No benefits in any form have been received or will be received related directly or indirectly to the subject of this article.
Identification
Copyright
© 2010 American Society for Surgery of the Hand. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
