Direct transfer of C7 pectoral fascicles to the suprascapular nerve in C5/C6 brachial plexus palsies: an anatomical study

Abstract

We investigated a technique to reconstruct the suprascapular nerve in patients with C5/C6 brachial plexus palsies, using pectoral fascicles from the ipsilateral C7 root. Using a supraclavicular approach in eight cadavers, the suprascapular nerve was placed side by side with an anterior quadrant fascicle from the C7 root. Several criteria were assessed, including the fascicle length, the overlap between the two nerves and their respective diameters. The mean length of the C7 fascicles was 19.3 mm, with a mean overlap of 4.7 mm. The suprascapular nerve and the C7 fascicles had mean diameters of 2.2 mm and 2.1 mm, respectively. Pectoral fascicles from C7 seem to be an option for reconstruction of the suprascapular nerve in C5/C6 palsies. Clinical studies will be required to establish the potential limitations of this transfer, especially in cases with complex lesions of the suprascapular nerve.