ENZYMOHISTOCHEMICAL EVALUATION OF ULNAR NERVE GRAFTS IN BRACHIAL-PLEXUS LESIONS

Our concept for the reconstruction of brachial plexus injuries include s an intercostal nerve transfer to the vascularized ulnar nerve graft. A free neurovascular latissimus dorsi is then transferred in a second stage operation. For optimization of the regeneration result, the ope rative planning of the second step includes nerve biopsies and enzymhi stochemical evaluation for the distribution of motor axons. The staini ng method according to Scabolcz et al.13 is described and clinical cas es are presented. (C) 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.