An Investigation on the Feasibility of Neurotization of Posterior Division of Median Nerve with Brachialis Branch of Musculocutaneous Nerve: Cadaver Study

Objectives: The problems encountered during recovery of traumatic brachial plexus injuries despite adequate treatment has important socioeconomic impacts. Neurotization of median nerve with brachialis muscle branch of musculocutaneous nerve has become popular recently. Whether it is superior to transfer of brachialis muscle to finger flexors is still unclear. Our research on human cadavers is aimed at examining the possibility of this nerve transfer by quantitatively describing the courses of related nerves.Patients and Methods: Ten upper extremities of 5 fresh cadavers (4 males, 1 female; mean age 46.3 years) were dissected and measurements were made on related nerves.Results: The neurotization of median nerve with brachialis muscle branch of musculocutaneous nerve is not possible in every case due to the distance between posterior fascicular group of median nerve and the brachialis branch, and the size discrepancy between these two nerves.Conclusion: Frequent variations of the anatomic structure originating from interracial differences decrease the applicability of the neurotization of median nerve with brachialis muscle branch of musculocutaneous nerve.