Objective To observe the recovery of the sensory and motor function of the repaired l imb and the impact on the healthy l imb function after contralateral C7 nerve root transposition for treating brachial plexus root avulsion injury. Methods Between August 2008 and November 2010, 22 patients with brachial plexus root avulsion injuries were treated with contralateral C7 nerve root transposition. All patients were male, aged 14 to 47 years (mean, 33.3 years). Total brachialplexus root avulsion was confirmed by preoperative cl inical examination and electrophysiological tests. In 22 cases, median nerve was repaired in 16 cases, radial nerve in 3 cases, and musculocutaneous nerve in 3 cases; primary operation was performed in 2 patients, and two-stage operation was performed in 20 patients. The sensory and motor functional recovery of the repaired limb was observed after operation. Results Twenty-one patients were followed up 7-25 months (mean, 18.4 months). In 16 cases of contralateral C7 nerve root transposition to the median nerve, wrist flexors reached more than M3 in 10 cases, while finger flexors reached more than M3 in 7 cases; sensation reached more than S3 in 11 cases. In 3 cases of contralateral C7 nerve root transposition to the musculocutaneous nerve, elbow flexors reached more than M3 in 2 cases; sensation reached more than S3 in 2 cases. In 3 cases of contralateral C7 nerve root transposition to the radial nerve, wrist extensor reached more than M3 in 1 case; sensation reached more than S3 in 1 case. Conclusion Contralateral C7 nerve root transposition is a good procedure for the treatment of brachial plexus root avulsion injury. Staged operation is one of important factors influencing treatment outcome.
Objective To investigate the cl inical efficacy of the cancellous granule-type calcium phosphate cement in repair bone defect. Methods Between July 2008 and July 2009, 35 patients (42 l imbs) with fractures, nonunion, and benign bone tumor were treated with cancellous granule-type calcium phosphate cement. There were 32 males and 3 females,with an age range from 9 to 73 years (median, 41 years), including 24 l imb fractures (19 cases), 4 osteotomy for deformity of ulna and radius (2 cases), 2 femur intertrochanteric bony cysts (2 cases), 3 enchondroma (3 cases), 5 bone defect at donor il ium (5 cases), 3 nonunion (3 cases), and 1 lumbar spinal stenosis (1 case). The size of bone defect was 1-5 cm. Bone defect was repaired with cancellous granule-type calcium phosphate cement (1-5 g). Results All cases were followed up 8-23 months (13.7 months on average). Thirty-nine incisions (32 cases) healed by first intention and the suture was removed after 10-14 days. Incision dehiscence occurred in 2 cases, and wounds healed after second debridement and removal of artificial bone. Exudation of incision occurred in 1 case, and wound healed after symptomatic treatment. No local red swell ing, higher temperature, maculopapule, and ulceration of skin occurred at implantation site. X-ray films showed that bone graft fusion was achieved and bone defect was radically repaired at 6 months after operation and artificial bone was absorbed completely at 12 months. Conclusion Cancellous granule-type calcium phosphate cement can be used as a new graft bone material, which is suitable for defect fill ing after traumatic fracture, benign bone tumors, and il iac bone donor.