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Endoscopy-assisted sural nerve harvest in infants
1Department of Neurosurgery, Free University Academic Hospital, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. W.vOuwerkerk@azvu.nl
Summary
This study introduces an endoscopic technique for harvesting the sural nerve (SN) in infants, significantly reducing incision size and scarring for nerve grafting procedures.
Area of Science:
- Neurosurgery
- Pediatric Surgery
- Minimally Invasive Procedures
Background:
- Obstetric brachial plexus lesions often require nerve grafting.
- Traditional sural nerve harvest can result in significant scarring.
- Minimally invasive techniques aim to improve cosmetic outcomes and reduce donor site morbidity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe a novel minimally invasive, endoscopy-assisted technique for sural nerve harvest in infants.
- To evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of this endoscopic approach for nerve grafting.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a 2.3 mm steerable endoscope for visualization.
- Performed dissection through three small (1.5 cm) skin incisions.
- Employed specialized instruments (nerve stripper, curette, scissors) under endoscopic guidance.
- Administered lidocaine block to the sural nerve prior to sectioning.
Main Results:
- Successfully harvested the sural nerve using the described endoscopic technique.
- Achieved dissection and sectioning of the sural nerve under direct endoscopic visualization.
- The method allows for reduced skin incision size compared to traditional open harvest.
Conclusions:
- Endoscopy-assisted sural nerve harvest is a feasible and effective minimally invasive technique for infants.
- This approach offers potential benefits in reducing scarring and improving cosmetic outcomes at the nerve donor site.
- Further studies are warranted to assess long-term outcomes and compare with conventional methods.