Clinical assessment of primary digital nerve repair.
We have carried out a retrospective study of 64 primary digital nerve repairs in 50 patients who presented to our department between 1988 and 1993. 45 of the patients were operated on within 6 hours of the injury using microscope (x 14). Normal two-point discrimination was regained in only 9 cases, while 6-10 mm two-point discrimination was achieved in 22, 11-15 mm in 15 and protective sensation in 18. A close correlation between age and recovery of sensation after repair was observed. Microsurgical repair of digital nerve gives satisfactory results, since a normal or good two-point discrimination can be obtained in about half of cases, while sensation improves in the rest. A high rate of complete recovery of sensation, however, is to be expected only in children.
Efstathopoulos
D
D
Hand Surgery and Microsurgery Clinic, K.A.T. Accident Hospital, Athens, Greece.
Gerostathopoulos
N
N
Misitzis
D
D
Bouchlis
G
G
Anagnostou
S
S
Daoutis
N K
NK
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005383:Finger Injuries / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000601:surgery*; D005385:Fingers / Q000294:innervation*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008866:Microsurgery / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D059348:Peripheral Nerve Injuries; D010525:Peripheral Nerves / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012677:Sensation