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J Brachial Plex Peripher Nerve Inj 2015; 10(01): e30-e33
DOI: 10.1055/s-0035-1549369
Short Communication
Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

“Sensory Switching” in Elbow Reconstruction

Shunsuke Sakakibara
1   Department of Plastic Surgery, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
,
Kazunobu Hashikawa
1   Department of Plastic Surgery, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
,
Hiroto Terashi
1   Department of Plastic Surgery, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
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Publikationsverlauf

14. August 2014

19. Februar 2015

Publikationsdatum:
29. April 2015 (online)

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Abstract

In the treatment of the soft tissue defect of the elbow, flap reconstruction is necessitated in many cases because of thinness of soft tissue at this region. In addition, reacquirement of tactile sensation is desirable because of the anatomical and specific functions of the elbow. Of three cases treated for elbow defects, one was reconstructed with a pedicled island forearm flap containing the lateral cutaneous nerve of the forearm, another was reconstructed with a venoneuro-accompanying artery fasciocutaneous flap (VNAF flap) containing the basilic vein, and the third with the VNAF flap containing the cephalic vein. The three cases demonstrated a sudden change of sensory territory 4 to 6 months after surgery, which was confirmed by touching the reconstructed region with patients' eye-closed: from its original territory to the elbow in a “switching”-like action. Here we describe and discuss the concept of “sensory switching.”

Keywords

sensory switching - sensory reconstruction - elbow reconstruction - sensory nerve - sensory territory
 

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