Anatomical study of phrenic nerve for nerve transfer application

Objective:To supply the anatomical data of Chinese phrenic nerve in detail and provide theoretic basis of phrenic nerves for phrenic nerve tansfer.Methods:The length and width of phrenic nerve were measured on32wet cadavers,male22and female10.Results:①Total length of phrenic nerve:in male on the left side(28.16±1.92)cm,on the right side(23.80±1.57)cm.In female,on the left side(26.08±1.46)cm,on the right side(22.30±1.56)cm.②The length from superior margin of the second parasternal rib to the entrance point of diaphragm:in male,on the left side(18.73±1.59)cm,on the right side(14.44±1.48)cm.In female,on the left side(16.66±1.41)cm,on the right side(12.70±1.18)cm.③Width:in male,left superior point (1.89±0.32)mm,right superior point (1.82±0.33)mm,left inferior point (2.50±0.46)mm,right inferior point (2.31±0.39)mm;in female,left superior point (1.85±0.29)mm,right superior point (1.78±0.27)mm,left inferior point (2.36±0.40)mm,right inferior point (2.17±0.18)mm.④The regressive equation between phrenic nerve length (Y)from superior margin of second rib to entrance point of diaphragm and body height (X).In male:left side:Y=0.106X+0.881,right side:Y=0.083X+0.253.In female:left side:Y=0.101X+0.833,right side:Y=0.078X+0.314.Conclusion:There are significant differences in the length and width between right and left phrenic nerves.