Postoperative migration of motor activity in low-grade glioma resection: a systematic review

Introduction: Compensatory mechanisms resulting from the phenomenon of neuroplasticity are present in patients with neuroepithelial tumors, such as lowgrade gliomas (LGG). In the case of tumors located in the primary motor cortex, neural reorganization of motor activity to other areas of the brain may favor the maintenance of motor activity and avoid neurological deficits. Thus, this study sought to assess the movement of motor activity in patients with LGG. Materials and Methods: The search strategy used medical subject headings and text words related to neuroplasticity, LGG, and primary motor cortex. The PubMed and Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde databases were used. The search of articles was conducted from November 2020 to January 2021, and there was no time limit regarding article eligibility. Results: Four studies were included following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. The contralateral motor and supplementary areas were the most active areas reported in the postoperative period. Given that this was a retrospective study, it did not demonstrate migration of motor activity, making surgical resection unfeasible. Conclusion: Knowing where motor function migration frequently occurs in patients with LGG is useful to optimize the resection of these tumors without inducing neurological deficits, thereby increasing the quality of resection in critical areas, such as the primary motor cortex.