ePoster

EMG monitoring of central neuroplastic changes after nerve transfer procedures in brachial plexus injury

Štěpánka Brušáková, Irena Holečková, Ivan Humhej, Jiří Ceé
FENS Forum 2024(2024)
Messe Wien Exhibition & Congress Center, Vienna, Austria

Conference

FENS Forum 2024

Messe Wien Exhibition & Congress Center, Vienna, Austria

Resources

Authors & Affiliations

Štěpánka Brušáková, Irena Holečková, Ivan Humhej, Jiří Ceé

Abstract

After the peripheral nerve transfer procedure, cerebral plasticity is a prerequisite for regaining independent voluntary control over the limb. The changes that arise in the central nervous system after neurotransfers play a significant role in the functional outcome of surgery. We demonstrate, that the process of central disconnection of the motor program of the donor and recipient muscles can be evaluated by EMG synkinesis monitoring in both muscles.A total of 34 proximal nerve transfers in 21 patients with adult traumatic brachial plexus injury to restore shoulder abduction, external rotation and elbow flexion were performed in our hospital between 2017 and 2020. Synkinesis (or their absence) were verified by a two-channel needle examination in the muscle originally innervated by the donor nerve and in the target muscle (recipient). Volitional activity in both muscles during voluntary contraction was monitored at the same time, voluntary activation of the recipient was tested with submaximal and maximal possible force. The results were evaluated at leastIndependent volitional activation of the recipient was recorded in 10 out of 34 neurotransfers (29.4%). We consider this result as a evidence of central remodeling changes. The inclusion of synkinesis monitoring in postoperative electrophysiological follow-up can significantly contribute to the understanding of why some transfers show a better functional outcome than others. Monitoring of volitional activity using a two-channel examination of voluntary activity allows to clearly define patients in whom there is a fully independent volitional activation of the recipient muscle.

Unique ID: fens-24/monitoring-central-neuroplastic-changes-0e4207a2