title: Results of microsurgical treatment of nerve injuries of the wrist.
abstract: A retrospective study was made of 62 patients with sharp, total transection of the ulnar and/or median nerves, operated on with use of microsurgical techniques. The results were evaluated in 44 patients. Following primary repair of the median nerve, eight patients achieved a reasonable result (8/25, 32%) and 13 a good result (13/25, 52%). In contrast, after secondary nerve grafting in six patients, only one patient achieved a reasonable result (1/6, 17%) and three a good result (3/6, 50%). After primary repair of the ulnar nerve, four patients (4/10, 40%) achieved a reasonable result, and five a good result (5/10, 50%). In contrast, after secondary nerve grafting in five patients, four achieved a reasonable result (4/5, 80%) and none a good result. The age of the patients appeared to determine the quality of recovery; in all patients younger than 20 years reasonable or good function of the nerve returned.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Sophia Hospital, Zwolle, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: H J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Lijftogt
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Dijkstra
authors.forename: J B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Storm van Leeuwen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008475:Median Nerve / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D008866:Microsurgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology; D012086:Reoperation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013536:Suture Techniques; D014459:Ulnar Nerve / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D014954:Wrist Injuries / Q000601:surgery*