Feasible alternative for intraoperative neurostimulation during brachial plexus surgery

Abstract

Introduction: Intraoperative neurostimulation is an essential technique during brachial plexus surgery, as it allows the specific identification of neural structures. In certain circumstances, the precise intensity of nerve stimulation and the evoked motor response are fundamental for making critical decisions during the surgical act.

Objective: Describe the use of a neurostimulator of regional anaesthesia for intraoperative neural localization during brachial plexus surgery in two patients.

Case presentation: Case 1: patient diagnosed with lesion of the lateral fasciculus of the right brachial plexus and high lesion of the homolateral radial nerve. Neural stimulation, with gradual and progressive stimuli, allows the adequate differentiation of the median, ulnar, musculocutaneous and lateral brachial cutaneous nerves, the motor fasciculus of the ulnar nerve that innervates the anterior ulnar muscle, and the motor fasciculus of the musculocutaneous nerve that innervates the biceps, which enables neurotization between both fascicles.

Case 2: patient diagnosed with total lesion of the left brachial plexus, postganglionic. After the exploration and neurolysis, the upper trunk was identified, the gradual electrical stimulation was carried out, which required a high intensity, and the weak contraction of the ipsilateral pectoralis major muscle was recorded only as an evoked motor response.

Conclusions: The use of a neurostimulator of regional anesthesia for neural localization during brachial plexus surgery presents relevant practical advantages in relation to disposable neurostimulators, as well as an appropriate cost-benefit ratio for their implementation in environments and nations of limited resources.

Keywords: Brachial plexus injury; brachial plexus surgery; peripheral nerve stimulator.