Anatomical bases of nerve transfer to restore sensitivity on the thumb-index in high median nerve injury. Cadaveric study

Abstract

Introduction: Treating high-grade nerve injuries of the upper extremity remains a surgical challenge. Extra-anatomical reconstructions through peripheral nerve transfer have gained clinical importance in recent decades. This study seeks to describe anatomical bases through cadaveric dissection, for the transfer of the dorsal sensory nerves of the first and second fingers, to the radial and ulnar collateral nerves of the index finger and thumb respectively; in high median nerve lesions.
Methodology: This is an observational, cross-sectional and descriptive study; where the dissection of 20 hands was performed on cadaver donor specimens, replicating the same surgical technique, and the same surgeon. Anatomical representations for the performance of the technique were quantitatively recorded.
Results: It was possible to replicate the technique previously described by other authors, detailing important anatomical representations at the time of its performance.
Conclusion: The nerve transfer proposed to restore sensitivity in the index thumb clamp is a reproducible technique, where it was possible to establish the appropriate approach on an anatomical basis, as well as an adequate correlation of nerve calibers, and the distance between them.