ABSTRACT Introduction: We report a case of reconstruction of the proximal third of the right humerus and rehabilitation of the elbow in a 20-year-old male patient who was injured in an automobile accident and developed bone necrosis of 5 cm at the proximal third of the humerus and avulsion of the brachial biceps. Methods: A scapular bone flap was used, together with a latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap, using subscapular vessels for the pedicle. Results: The patient had excellent postoperative course, presenting in the 2-month postoperative period with bone consolidation and initiation of elbow flexion. Conclusions: This flap modality is a safe and useful option for bone reconstruction.

RESUMO Introdução: No presente trabalho, relatamos um caso de reconstrução do terço proximal do úmero direito e reanimação do cotovelo de um paciente masculino, de 20 anos, vítima de acidente automobilístico, com necrose óssea de 5 cm no terço proximal do úmero e avulsão do bíceps braquial. Métodos: Utilizamos o retalho ósseo da escápula, associado ao retalho miocutâneo do grande dorsal, tendo como pedículo os vasos subescapulares. Resultados: O paciente teve excelente evolução no pós-operatório, apresentando-se, no pós-operatório de 2 meses, com consolidação óssea e iniciando a flexão do cotovelo. Conclusões: Perante a utilização do retalho descrito, concluímos que esta modalidade de retalho se insere no arsenal dos retalhos ósseos de maior segurança nas reconstruções ósseas em geral.

There is a great variety of injuries that affect peripheral nerves derived from acquired or congenital degenerative diseases affecting the central nervous system that cause loss of sensorimotor functions. The objective of this work was to perform an end-to-side or side-to-side experimental axonal stereological study in order to compare volume density of axons, endouneuro and myelin sheath (and muscle mass) in peroneal and tibial nerves, with anastomosis contact from 0.25 cm to 0.50 cm. After approval of the Ethics Committe, 20 male Wistar rats were divided into four groups of five rats each (G1= end-to-side neurorrhaphy; G2= side-to-side neurorrhaphy of 0.25 cm; G3= side-to-side neurorrhaphy of 0 cm and G4= Control of normality). After 180 days, fragments of peroneal and tibial nerves were collected for histological and stereological study. In comparative stereological experimental study between neurorraphies, the volume density of axons, myelin sheath of tibial and fibular nerves, as well as the post-surgical muscle mass, remains the same in end-to-side and side-to-side neurorraphies, regardless of contact area of anastomosis. It can be inferred, as surgical repair options, both end-to-side neurorrhaphy to recover and prevents atrophy of the endplate as side-to-side neurorraphy that is independent of the distance between the nerve stumps.

Gran variedad de lesiones atingen a los nervios periféricos, derivadas de enfermedades adquiridas o degenerativas congénitas que afectan la parte central del sistema nervioso y que ocasionan pérdida de funciones sensoriomotoras. El objetivo de ese trabajo fue realizar un estudio experimental estereológico axonal post neurorrafias termino-lateral o latero-lateral para comparar densidad de volumen de axones, endoneuro y vaina de mielina (así como masa muscular) en nervios fibular y tibial, con unión de contacto entre 0,25 cm y 0,50 cm. Tras la aprobación del comité de ética, fueran utilizados 20 ratones machos de la raza Wistar divididos en cuatro grupos de 5 ratones cada uno (G1= Neurorrafia término lateral; G2= Neurorrafia latero lateral de 0,25 cm; G3= Neurorrafia latero lateral de 0,50 cm y G4= Control). Posteriormente, fragmentos de los nervios tibiales y fibulares fueron procesados para estudios histológicos y estereológicos. En el estudio experimental estereológico comparativo entre neurorrafias termino-lateral y latero-lateral, la densidad de volumen de axones, endoneuro y vaina de mielina de nervios tibial y fibular y también la masa muscular post quirúrgica se mantuvo equitativa, independientemente del área de unión de contacto. Podemos inferir como opciones de reparación quirúrgica, que el tratamiento de la neurorrafia termino-lateral y latero-lateral previnen la atrofia de placa motora, independiente de la distancia entre los muñones nerviosos.