Anatomic study the medial antebrachial cutaneous nerve and the ulnar nerve and its clinical application

Objective To provide reliable anatomical basis for more effective and reasonable use of the medial antebrachial cutaneous nerve and ulnar nerve as nerve graft for contralateral C_7 transfer.Methods 16 sides of 8 embalmed cadavers and 6 sides of 3 fresh cadavers were dissected.The course,branches and blood supply of the medial antebrachial cutaneous nerve and ulnar nerve were observed.The relation between these two nerves were also recorded.Results The medial antebrachial cutaneous nerve and the ulnar nerve are originated from lower trunk of the brachial plexus.They lie next to each other and travel (26.5±3.4)cm to the elbow joint.The medial antebrachial cutaneous nerve was found,in 18 sides of 9 cadavers,to divide into an anterolateral and a posteromedial branch about (7.68±3.4)cm proximal to the medial epicondyle.No branching was noticed in 4 sides of 2 cadavers.At the mid upper arm level,the medial antebraehial cutaneous nerve contains an average of 4.8 fascicles,ranging from 4 to 8 fascieles.There are 6 to 11 fascicles in the ulnar nerve at that level,the average being 8.1.The disseetable length of the medial antebrachial cutaneous nerve from its origin to mid forearm level is (25.8±2.1 )cm.The disseetable length of the ulnar nerve is (59.2±6.4)cm.Those two nerves can be harvested within one incision to be used as nerve graft. Conclusion The medial antebrachial cutaneous nerve and the ulnar nerve can be used as nerve graft in contralateral C_7 transfer for treatment of brachial plexus injuries.