Objective To review the research progress on the establishment of prevertebral pathway in the treatment of unilateral total brachial plexus injury, cerebral palsy, stroke, and traumatic brain injury by contralateral C₇ nerve root transfer.Methods The literature about contralateral C₇ nerve root transfer via prevertebral pathway at home and abroad was extensively reviewed, and the development, changes, advantages and disadvantages of various operation methods were analyzed and summarized.Results After unilateral total brachial plexus injury, cerebral palsy, stroke, and traumatic brain injury, it can be repaired by a variety of surgical methods of the contralateral C₇ nerve root transfer via prevertebral pathway, which include the anterior subcutaneous tissue tunnel of the vertebral body, the passage under the sternocleidomastoid muscle, the posterior pharyngeal space and the anterior vertebral fascia passage, the modified posterior esophageal anterior vertebral passage, the anterior vertebral passage that cuts off the bilateral anterior scalene, and Huashan anterior pathway, etc. Among them, how to establish the shortest, safe, and effective way of anterior vertebral canal has been paid more attention and discussed by peripheral nerve repair doctors.Conclusion It is a safe and effective surgical method to repair unilateral total brachial plexus injury, cerebral palsy, stroke, and traumatic brain injury patients with contralateral C₇ nerve root transfer via prevertebral pathway.

Citation： CHEN Tao, GAO Shaoying, WEI Zairong. Research progress of contralateral C₇ nerve root transfer via prevertebral pathway. Chinese Journal of Reparative and Reconstructive Surgery, 2021, 35(2): 265-268. doi: 10.7507/1002-1892.202006088 Copy