Medial antebrachial cutaneous--lateral femoral cutaneous neurotization in restoration of sensation to pressure-bearing areas in a paraplegic: a four-year follow-up.

Loss of cutaneous sensation predisposes paraplegics to ulceration in pressure-bearing areas. We have previously described a method of restoring sensation to anesthetic trochanteric or ischial areas by neurotizing the cutaneous territory of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve with the medial antebrachial cutaneous nerve of the forearm. After reinnervation of the anterior skin, a musculocutaneous flap is rotated to the desired anesthetic area. A four-year follow-up evaluation has shown good recovery of the quickly and slowly adapting fiber receptor system, mediated through innervated hair follicles and resulting in excellent protective sensation.