Objective To investigate the quantity and distribution of motor fiber of rat’s C7 nerve root. Methods Motor fiber quantity and section area in the main nerves of the upper extremity and the fascicles of C7 in 30 SD rats were analyzed.Results Fascicles and certain amount (207) of motor fibers from the anterior division of C7 were distributed to musculocutaneous nerve and median nerve, the orientation of these fibers were not clear. The ones (323) from posterior division were to the axillary, radial, and dorsal thoracic nerves, thus the orientation of these fascicles was relatively definite. Conclusion Thedistribution of the motor fibers and fascicles in the divisions of C7 in rat is similar to human beings, so rat is a relatively good model for the study of selective C7 nerve root transfer.
ObjectiveTo review the definition and possible etiologies for C5 palsy. MethodsThe literature on C5 palsy at home and abroad in recent years was extensively reviewed, and the possible etiologies were analyzed based on clinical practice experience. ResultsThere are two main theories (nerve root tether and spinal cord injury) accounting for the occurrence of C5 palsy, but both have certain limitations. The former can not explain the occurrence of C5 palsy after anterior cervical spine surgery, and the latter can not explain that the clinical symptoms of C5 palsy is often the motor dysfunction of the upper limb muscles. Based on the previous reports, combining our clinical experience and research, we propose that the occurrence of C5 palsy is mainly due to the instrumental injury of anterior horn of cervical spinal cord during anterior cervical decompression. In addition, the C5 palsy following surgery via posterior approach may be related to the nerve root tether caused by the spinal cord drift after decompression. ConclusionIn view of the main cause of C5 palsy after cervical decompression, it is recommended to reduce the compression of the spinal cord by surgical instruments to reduce the risk of this complication.
Objective To observe the result of reconstructing quadriceps femoris function in the paraplegia rats by using the 7th cervical nerve root (C7) transposition with autologous and allogeneic neural transplantation. Methods Twenty16-week-old SPF male Wistar rats were adopted to prepare frozen sciatic nerve. Thirty-six Wistar rats were divided into 2 groups (group A and group B, n=18). The left paraplegia model was establ ished with left spinal cord hemisection by the micro scissors under the operation microscope. After the model establ ishment, the homolateral autologous sciatic nerve was bridged with the femoral nerve root by the translocation of C7 in group A, while the allogeneic sciatic nerve was bridged with the femoral nerve root by the translocation of C7 in group B. At 16 weeks and 24 weeks after operation, 9 rats in each group were selected for the neuroelectric-physiological test and then the histomorphology of the nerves was observed under the microscope and the electron microscope. The fresh weight recovery rate of quadriceps femoris was calculated. Results At 16 and 24 weeks after operation, the nerve action-evoked potential (NAP) was (1.14 ± 0.07) mV and (1.21 ± 0.07) mV in group A, and (0.87 ± 0.06) mV and (0.99 ± 0.05) mV in group B; the nerve conduction velocity (NCV) was (17.34 ± 2.15) m/s and (19.00 ± 3.02) m/s in group A, and (11.23 ± 1.45) m/s and (12.54 ± 1.59) m/s in group B, respectively, indicating significant differences (P lt; 0.05) between 2 groups. At 16 and 24 weeks after operation, HE staining and Bielschowsky staining showed that group A had a large number of nerve fiber regeneration, with a regular arrange of axons; while group B had l ittle nerve fiber regeneration with a scattered arrange of axons. At 24 weeks after operation, images in TEM showed a large number of regeneration myel inated nerve fibers and a small number of unmyel inated nerve fibers through the transplanted nerve in two groups. At 16 weeks after operation, the number of myel inated nerve fibers in group A and group B was (438 ± 79) and (196 ± 31) / vision, the areas of myel inated nerve fiberswere (5 596.00 ± 583.94) and (4 022.63 ± 615.75) μm2 / vision; after 24 weeks, the number of myel inated nerve fibers in groups A and B were (642 ± 64) and (321 ± 75)/vision, the areas of myel inated nerve fibers were (6 689.50 ± 1 142.10) and ( 4 733.00 ± 982.22) μm2/vision, indicating significant differences between two groups (P lt; 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference (P gt; 0.05) in the wet weight recovery rate of quadriceps between group A and group B at 16 weeks (87.96% ± 4.93% vs. 86.47% ± 7.47%) and at 24 weeks after operation (90.10% ± 4.22% vs. 87.66% ± 3.14%). Conclusion C7 transposition combined with autograft and allograft of sciatic nerve can reconstruct the partial function of the quadriceps femoris in paraplegia rats. The effect of graft is better than that of graft obviously.
Objective To study the recovery and mechanism of nerve root under variable chronic injury and to determine the alerting index of the evoked potential of the irreversible injury to the nerve root, so as to offer the evidence for selecting treatment methods, judging prognosis and grasping treatment juncture.Methods Autogenous cancellous bones were planted into the right C7-8 and C8T1 intervertebral foramens in 30 cats with weight 3-5 kg to make chronicinjury models. The left side was for auto-contrast. By 24 weeks’ observation anddynamic supervisory of evoked potential, the injury degrees were ascertained and classified into Ⅰto Ⅴdegree groups. Then the operation of decompression was performed on every group. During the following 32 weeks, the evoked potential survey and pathological tissue examination were made every week to observe the function recovery of the injured roots.Results The tissue form and functionof the nerve roots with ⅠandⅡdegree injuries recovered well within 2 to 6 weeks. Those with Ⅲ degree injury began to recover in the 4th week, and graduallyrecovered to normal 12 weeks later. In the group of Ⅳ degree injury, the recoverywas slow. They could recover completely in 3 of 6 cats, partly in 2 and hardly recovered in 1. The function and tissue form of nerve roots with Ⅴdegree injury could hardly recovered. Conclusion In the case that the compression has been removed before the nerve roots suffer Ⅲ degree injury. The tissue form and function of the nerve roots will recovered satisfactorily, whereas they may suffer irreversibly injury by Ⅳdegree injury, and even can hardly recover by Ⅴdegree injury. During the supervisory process of the recovery of the injured nerve roots, sensitive evoked potential is a sensitive sign of early recovery and motion evoked potential is a reliable sign of recovery extent.
Objective To observe the effect of selective sacral rhizotomy in treating spastic bladder after spinal cord injury and to explore the mechanism and the best surgical method of different sacral rhizotomies. Methods The spastic bladder models were established in 12 male dogsand were divided into 4 groups according to the different rhizotomies of the sacral nerve as the following: rhizotomy of the anterior root of S2(group A), rhizotomy of the anterior root of S2 and half of the anterior root of S3(group B), rhizotomy of the anterior roots of S2 and S3(group C), and total rhizotomy of the nerve roots of S2-4 (group D). By urodynamic examination and electrophysiological -observation, the changes of all functional data were recorded and comparedbetween pre-rhizotomy and post-rhizotomy to testify the best surgical method. In clinical trial, according to the results of the above experiments, rhizotomy of the anterior root of S2 or one of the halfanterior root of S3 were conducted on 32 patients with spastic bladder after spinal cord injury. The mean bladder capacity, the mean urine evacuation and the mean urethra pressure were (120±30), (100±30)ml and (120±20) cm H2 O, respectively before rhizotomy. Results After rhizotomy, the bladder capacity in 4 groups amounted to (150±50), (180±50), (230±50), and (400±50) ml, respectively; and the urine evacuation volume were (130±30), (180±50), (100±50) and (50±30)ml, respectively. In the treated 32 patients, the mean bladder capacity were raised to 410 ml, and the mean urine evacuation volume were also increased to 350 ml. Incontinence of urine disappeared in all patients. After 22-month follow-up on 13 patients, no recurrence was observed. Conclusion The effectof selective sacral rhizotomy in treating spastic cord injury is significant and worthy of further studies.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the long-term effects on the lower limb function after S1 nerve root transection as dynamic source. MethodsBetween January 2007 and December 2011, 47 patients with atonic bladder dysfunction underwent S1 nerve root transposition to reconstrut the bladder function. There were 43 males and 4 females, with an average age of 40.7 years (range, 22-66 years). The locations were LS1 in 33 cases, LS2 in 5 cases, LS3 in 2 cases, TS12, LS1 in 3 cases, LS1, LS2 in 1 case, LS1, LS3 in 1 case, LS1, LS4 in 1 case, and LS2, LS3 in 1 case. The anastomosis of the SS2 or SS3 nerve root to S1 nerve root was performed from 4 to 24 months (mean, 8 months) after spinal cord injury. The strength of ankle plantar flexion was grade 4 in 5 cases and grade 5 in 42 cases before operation. ResultsThe strength of ankle plantar flexion had no obvious decrease (grade 4 or 5) in 31 cases, reduced 0.5 grade in 16 cases at 2 days after operation. All the patients were followed up 3-8 years (mean, 5.1 years). At 2 weeks after operation, the nerve electrophysiological examination showed neurogenic damage at operated side in most patients, including reduced amplitude tibial nerve in 19 cases, for common peroneal nerve in 13 cases, and for tibial nerve and common peroneal nerve in 9 cases. Except the velocity of common peroneal nerve (t=-1.881, P=0.093), the other electric physiological indexes showed significant differences between at pre- and post-operation (P<0.05). The muscle strength basically recovered to preoperative level (grade 4 or 5) during follow-up, and there was no impairment of lower limb function. ConclusionS1 transection has no significant effects on lower limb function, so S1 nerve can be used as dynamic nerve for nerve function reconstruction.
Objective To evaluate and compare the relation of the cl inical results of expansion of open-door cervical laminoplasty (EOLP), C5 nerve root palsy in hinge side, and reclose of the opened laminae with different angles in lamina opendoor.Methods Between July 2006 and January 2009, 198 patients with cervical myelopathy were treated by EOLP. Accordingto different opening angles which were measured by CT scan after operation, the patients were divided into group A (gt; 30°, 76 patients including 44 males and 32 females) and group B (15-30°, 122 patients including 71 males and 51 females). There was no significant difference in gender, age, disease duration, and segmental lesions between 2 groups (P gt; 0.05). The Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score before and after operation was used for neurological assessment and improvement rate, and the postoperative C5 nerve root palsy and reclose of the opened laminae were recorded. Results There was no significant difference in operation time, bleeding volume, and hospital ization days between 2 groups (P gt; 0.05). After 3 weeks of operation, C5 nerve root palsy in the hinge side occurred in 7 patients (9.2%) of group A, and in 2 patients (1.6%) of group B, were restored after symptomatic treatment, showing significant difference between 2 groups (χ2= 4.568, P= 0.033). All patients were followed up 24 to 48 months. Between group A and group B, no significant difference was found in JOA improvement rate at 24 months after operation (P gt; 0.05), and in JOA score at preoperation and at 24 months after operation (P gt; 0.05), but JOA score was significantly improved at 24 months after operation when compared with preoperative score in the same group (P lt; 0.05). The function of l imb l ifting restored in 9 cases of C5 nerve root palsy at 24 months after operation; CT examination revealed that no reclose occured in group A and reclose occurred in 4 cases (3.3%) of group B, but no persistent symptoms or worsen situationwere found during follow-up. Conclusion Different angles in lamina open-door have the same cl inical result; C5 nerve palsy has good prognosis. The opening angle between 15° and 30° will reduce the incidence of C5 nerve root palsy in the hinge side, but the open side should be firmly fixed to prevent further reclose of the opened laminae.
Objective To provide the anatomical basis of contralateral C7 root transfer for the recovery of the forearm flexor function. Methods Thirty sides of adult anti-corrosion specimens were used to measure the length from the end of nerves dominating forearm flexor to the anastomotic stoma of contralateral C7 nerve when contralateral C7 nerve transfer was used for repair of brachial plexus lower trunk and medial cord injuries. The muscle and nerve branches were observed. The length of C7 nerve, C7 anterior division, and C7 posterior division was measured. Results The length of C7 nerve, anterior division, and posterior division was (58.8 ± 4.2), (15.4 ± 6.7), and (8.8 ± 4.4) mm, respectively. The lengths from the anastomotic stoma to the points entering muscle were as follow: (369.4 ± 47.3) mm to palmaris longus, (390.5 ± 38.8) mm (median nerve dominate) and (413.6 ± 47.4) mm (anterior interosseous nerve dominate) to the flexor digitorum superficialis, (346.2 ± 22.3) mm (median nerve dominate) and (408.2 ± 23.9) mm (anterior interosseous nerve dominate) to the flexor digitorum profundus of the index and the middle fingers, (344.2 ± 27.2) mm to the flexor digitorum profundus of the little and the ring fingers, (392.5 ± 29.2) mm (median nerve dominate) and (420.5 ± 37.1) mm (anterior interosseous nerve dominate) to the flexor pollicis longus, and (548.7 ± 30.0) mm to the starting point of the deep branch of ulnar nerve. The branches of the anterior interosseous nerve reached to the flexor hallucis longus, the deep flexor of the index and the middle fingers and the pronator quadratus muscle, but its branches reached to the flexor digitorum superficials in 5 specimens (16.7%). The branches of the median nerve reached to the palmaris longus and the flexor digitorum superficial, but its branches reached to the deep flexor of the index and the middle fingers in 10 specimens (33.3%) and to flexor hallucis longus in 6 specimens (20.0%). Conclusion If sural nerve graft is used, the function of the forearm muscles will can not be restored; shortening of humerus and one nerve anastomosis are good for forearm flexor to recover function in clinical.
ObjectiveTo review the research progress of total endoscopic minimally invasive technique in treating cervical nerve root canal stenosis (CNRCS).MethodsThe related literature at home and abroad was extensively reviewed. The research history, current situation, research progress, advantages and disadvantages of minimally invasive treatment of CNRCS under total endoscope were summarized.ResultsIn recent years, with the continuous development of minimally invasive technique of total endoscope in spine surgery, the surgical treatment methods are also constantly innovated. Compared with the traditional open surgery, minimally invasive treatment of CNRCS under total endoscope can obtain better effectiveness, keep the stability of the cervical segment to the maximum extent, reduce the impact on the activity of the cervical spine and the occurrence of related surgical complications, which is an effective minimally invasive technology.ConclusionThe minimally invasive treatment of CNRCS under total endoscope has achieved some results, which is expected to be one of the indispensable means to treat CNRCS, but it still needs to be improved.
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of prophylactic C4, 5 foraminal dilatation in posterior cervical open-door surgery on postoperative C5 nerve root palsy syndrome.MethodsThe clinical data of patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy (cervical spinal cord compression segments were more than 3) who met the selection criteria between March 2016 and March 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. Among them, 40 patients underwent prophylactic C4, 5 foraminal dilatation in posterior cervical open-door surgery (observation group) and 40 patients underwent simple posterior cervical open-door surgery (control group). There was no significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05) in gender, age, disease duration, Nurick grade of spinal cord symptoms, and preoperative diameter of C4, 5 intervertebral foramen, Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score, and visual analogue scale (VAS) score. The occurrence of C5 nerve root paralysis syndrome was recorded and compared between the two groups, including incidence, paralysis time, recovery time, and spinal cord drift. VAS and JOA scores were used to evaluate the improvement of pain and function before operation and at 12 months after operation.ResultsThe incisions of the two groups healed by first intention, and there was no early postoperative complications such as cerebrospinal fluid leakage. Patients of both groups were followed up 12-23 months, with an average of 17.97 months. C5 nerve root paralysis syndrome occurred in 8 cases in the observation group (3 cases on the right and 5 cases on the left) and 2 cases in the control group (both on the right). There was significant difference of the incidence (20% vs. 5%) between the two groups (χ2=4.114, P=0.043). Except for 1 case in the observation group who developed C5 nerve root palsy syndrome at 5 days after operation, the rest patients all developed at 1 day after operation; the recovery time of the observation group and the control group were (3.87±2.85) months and (2.50±0.70) months respectively, showing no significant difference between the two groups (t=–0.649, P=0.104). At 12 months after operation, the JOA score and VAS score of cervical spine in the two groups significantly improved when compared with those before operation (P<0.05); there was no significant difference in the difference of the cervical spine JOA score and VAS score between at 12 months after operation and before operation and the degree of spinal cord drift between the two groups (P>0.05).ConclusionProphylactic C4, 5 foraminal dilatation can not effectively prevent and reduce the occurrence of postoperative C5 root palsy, on the contrary, it may increase its incidence, so the clinical application of this procedure requires caution.