Objective To study the analgesic effect of intercostal nerve crush after thoracotomy. Methods Model of forceps crushing of intercostal nerve in 20 rabbits was made pathological changes and repairing process of the nerve were observed in order to identify the best forceps crushing degree that could be used clinically. Prospective double-blind randomized trial in 210 patients who had undergone thoracotomy was carried out from February 1996 to June 2002,and were divided into three groups. Intercostal nerve forceps crushing group (group A):before closing chest,4 routes of costal nerves(incision,above and below incision, and one for inserting drainage tube)were dissected and squeezed with forceps. Intercostal nerve forceps crushing with anaesthetic drugs infiltration group (group B):based on intercostal nerve forceps crush, the intercostal nerve in the chest tube location was infiltrated with bupivacaine hydrochloride 5ml, and control group. Postoperative incisional pain was recorded by visual analogue scales (VAS) including recording the dosage of dolantin needed, arterial oxygen saturation (SaO2) on 3,7,15,and 30 d after operation. Results Pathological changes of the axons and myelin sheaths progressed by the degree of crushing, but recovered in 4-6 weeks. The blood vessel microhemostat was locked to the third teeth and lasting for 30 seconds, the effective analgesia and quick recovery were provided. The clinical use of nerve crush was made with the same procedure which showed b analgesic effect in both group A and group B. The total effective rate in 3 d after operation was 97.1%,98.6% and 0% in group A, B, and the control group respectively, and group A, B was significantly higher than that in contral group (Plt;0.001, 0.001); dosage of dolantin administration in group A,B and control group was 40.20±4.12mg, 35.42±3.31mg and 135.10± 8.17mg respectively (Plt;0.01). There was no statistically difference in SaO2 for three groups (P=0.475). Conclusion The intercostal nerve crush is an available and lasting analgesic procedure to relieve postoperative pain of thoracotomy. The technique is simple and can improve respiratory function and accelerate sputum to be coughed up. It can also decrease the opportunity of pulmonary infection. Intercostal nerve may regenerate and recover its function although if it is temporary contused.
ObjectiveTo investigate the feasibility of the 3rd-6th intercostal nerve transfer to the suprascapular nerve for reconstruction of shoulder abduction. MethodsFifteen thoracic walls (30 sides) were collected from human cadavers. The 3rd-6th intercostal nerve length which can be dissected between the midaxillary line and midclavicular line, and the transfer distance between the midaxillary line and midpoint of the clavicular bone (prepared point for neurotization) were measured. ResultsIn 30 sides of specimens, the 3rd and 4th intercostal nerves could be obtained between the midaxillary line and midclavicular line, the available length of which was significantly greater than the transfer distance (P lt; 0.01). Six sides of the 5th intercostal nerve and 16 sides of 6th intercostal nerve were covered by the costal cartilage before reaching the midclavicular line. The available length of the 5th intercostal nerve was similar to the transfer distance (P gt; 0.01), while the available length of the 6th intercostal nerve was significantly less than transfer distance (P lt; 0.01). The suprascapular nerve could be dissociated and turned to the clavicular bone of more than 2 cm. The whole length of the available 5th intercostal nerve length and the turning length (2 cm) of suprascapular nerve was significantly greater than the transfer distance (P lt; 0.01), but for the 6th intercostal nerve, the whole length was still less than transfer distance (P lt; 0.01). ConclusionIt could be an alternative method to use the 3rd, 4th, and 5th intercostal nerve transfer to the suprascapular nerve for reconstruction of shoulder abduction. And for the 6th intercostal nerve, longer dissociated length may be required for direct coaptation or using a graft for nerve repair.
OBJECTIVE: To provide anatomy basis for a free latissimus dorsal muscular flap with the sensate nerve. METHODS: The structure of back and lateral chest area were dissected and the origin, alignment and distribution of the intercostals nerve within the area of latissimus dorsal muscular flap were observed in 40 adult cadaver specimens. RESULTS: The 5th to 10th lateral posterior branches of the thoracic nerve pierced from respective intercostal area near the axial anterior line and run a long distance in deep fascia. They distributed mainly in lateral latissimus skin outside the scapular line and anastomosed with the lower branch near the scapular line. Among these branchs, the 6th to 8th branches had a longer nerve distribution respectively and the pedicle of nerve and artery was parallel and long. CONCLUSION: It is possible to design a sensate latissimus dorsal muscular flap with the 6th to 8th lateral posterior branch of the intercostal nerve.
OBJECTIVE To provide the anatomical basis for the free paraumbilical flap with sensory nerve. METHODS The morphology, branch and distribution of the inferior epigastric artery and inferior intercostal nerve were dissected and measured in 20 adult cadaver specimens. RESULTS The diameter of inferior epigastric artery at the original point was (2.3 +/- 0.3) mm, and that of its accompanying vein was (3.6 +/- 0.4) mm. The anterial branch of inferior intercostal nerves transversed through their corresponding intercostal spaces of axilla anterior line and ran out of the superficial fascia at the midclavicular line. The lateral anterior branch of the eighth to tenth intercostal nerves ran out of superficial fascia in the range of 0-7 cm above umbilicus and innervated the paraumbilical flap. CONCLUSION It is possible to design sensory paraumbilical flap with the lateral anterior branch of the eighth to tenth intercostal nerve.