Abstract
Reply:
We appreciate the comments and suggestions given on this article. The pain and sensory outcome are beyond the scope of this study. The aim of the study was to assess the motor restoration of elbow flexion post-neurotization (phrenic nerve to musculocutaneous nerve or motor branch biceps) comparing two groups; full-length phrenic nerve transfer via video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) and phrenic nerve transfer via nerve graft. 1 The nerve coaptations were done specifically to motor nerves. Thus, pain and sensory improvement was not affected by the surgery. Thus, the pre- and post-surgery pain and sensory assessments were not included in this article.
We agree that the preoperative and postoperative EMG is a good tool to assess reinnervation of muscles objectively. 2 It should be performed in subsequent researches to show improvement of postoperative muscle power. However, it will not show if the muscle power is functional. Thus, EMG should be used as an adjunct to MRC grading.
Thank you.
