Proof of concept for multiple nerve transfers to a single target muscle
File(s)
Published version
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Surgical nerve transfers are used to efficiently treat peripheral nerve injuries, neuromas,
phantom limb pain, or improve bionic prosthetic control. Commonly, one donor nerve is transferred
to one target muscle. However, the transfer of multiple nerves onto a single target muscle may
increase the number of muscle signals for myoelectric prosthetic control and facilitate the treatment
of multiple neuromas. Currently, no experimental models are available. This study describes a
novel experimental model to investigate the neurophysiological effects of peripheral double nerve
transfers to a common target muscle. In 62 male Sprague-Dawley
rats, the ulnar nerve of the antebrachium
alone (n=30) or together with the anterior interosseus nerve (n=32) was transferred to reinnervate
the long head of the biceps brachii. Before neurotization, the motor branch to the biceps’
long head was transected at the motor entry point. Twelve weeks after surgery, muscle response
to neurotomy, behavioral testing, retrograde labeling, and structural analyses were performed to
assess reinnervation. These analyses indicated that all nerves successfully reinnervated the target
muscle. No aberrant reinnervation was observed by the originally innervating nerve. Our observations
suggest a minimal burden for the animal with no signs of functional deficit in daily activities or
auto-mutilation
in both procedures. Furthermore, standard neurophysiological analyses for nerve
and muscle regeneration were applicable. This newly developed nerve transfer model allows for the
reliable and standardized investigation of neural and functional changes following the transfer of
multiple donor nerves to one target muscle.
phantom limb pain, or improve bionic prosthetic control. Commonly, one donor nerve is transferred
to one target muscle. However, the transfer of multiple nerves onto a single target muscle may
increase the number of muscle signals for myoelectric prosthetic control and facilitate the treatment
of multiple neuromas. Currently, no experimental models are available. This study describes a
novel experimental model to investigate the neurophysiological effects of peripheral double nerve
transfers to a common target muscle. In 62 male Sprague-Dawley
rats, the ulnar nerve of the antebrachium
alone (n=30) or together with the anterior interosseus nerve (n=32) was transferred to reinnervate
the long head of the biceps brachii. Before neurotization, the motor branch to the biceps’
long head was transected at the motor entry point. Twelve weeks after surgery, muscle response
to neurotomy, behavioral testing, retrograde labeling, and structural analyses were performed to
assess reinnervation. These analyses indicated that all nerves successfully reinnervated the target
muscle. No aberrant reinnervation was observed by the originally innervating nerve. Our observations
suggest a minimal burden for the animal with no signs of functional deficit in daily activities or
auto-mutilation
in both procedures. Furthermore, standard neurophysiological analyses for nerve
and muscle regeneration were applicable. This newly developed nerve transfer model allows for the
reliable and standardized investigation of neural and functional changes following the transfer of
multiple donor nerves to one target muscle.
Date Issued
2021-10-01
Date Acceptance
2021-09-30
Citation
eLife, 2021, 10, pp.1-16
ISSN
2050-084X
Publisher
eLife Sciences Publications Ltd
Start Page
1
End Page
16
Journal / Book Title
eLife
Volume
10
Copyright Statement
© Copyright Luft et al. This
article is distributed under the
terms of the Creative Commons
Attribution License, which
permits unrestricted use and
redistribution provided that the
original author and source are
credited.
article is distributed under the
terms of the Creative Commons
Attribution License, which
permits unrestricted use and
redistribution provided that the
original author and source are
credited.
License URL
Identifier
http://gateway.webofknowledge.com/gateway/Gateway.cgi?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=PARTNER_APP&SrcAuth=LinksAMR&KeyUT=WOS:000711418600001&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=ALL_WOS&UsrCustomerID=1ba7043ffcc86c417c072aa74d649202
Subjects
Science & Technology
Life Sciences & Biomedicine
Biology
Life Sciences & Biomedicine - Other Topics
nerve injury
peripheral nerve
nerve transfer
targeted muscle reinnervation
rat model
motor unit
prosthetic interfacing
Rat
BRACHIAL-PLEXUS
RECONSTRUCTION
REINNERVATION
AVULSION
MODEL
Publication Status
Published
Article Number
ARTN e71312
Date Publish Online
2021-10-21