[The results of nerve repair in combined nerve-tendon injuries of the forearm].
BACKGROUND
We evaluated the clinical and functional results of nerve repair in patients with combined tendon-nerve injuries of the forearm.


METHODS
The study included 68 patients (58 males, 10 females; mean age 33.5 years; range 5 to 48 years) with combined tendon-nerve injuries of the forearm. A total of 96 nerves were repaired. Patients with nerve defects were excluded. Both median and ulnar nerves were injured in 17 patients; median and ulnar nerve injuries were detected in 17 patients and 34 patients, respectively. The mean time to operation was four hours (range 20 min to 24 h). Primary nerve repair was performed in 60 patients, and secondary repair was performed in eight patients. The interfascicular technique was employed in 18 patients, and epiperineural suture in 50 patients. Rehabilitation included early motion using the Washington regimen. A modified MRC (Medical Research Council) motor and sensory classification system was used for postoperative evaluation. The mean follow-up was at least two years.


RESULTS
The modified MRC results were as follows: of 17 patients with median nerve injuries, 10 had excellent, seven had good results. Of 34 patients with ulnar nerve injuries, the results were excellent in nine, very good in 10, good in 10, and fair in five patients. Of those with median and ulnar nerve injuries, four, seven, and six patients had excellent, very good, and good results, respectively. Overall, 61 patients (89.7%) had satisfactory results. A significant correlation was found between age and the MRC results (p=0.016).


CONCLUSIONS
Primary nerve repair followed by early motion results in substantial rates of excellent and satisfactory results in patients with combined nerve-tendon injuries.
Ozdemir
H Mustafa
HM
Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Medicine Faculty of Selçuk University, Konya, Turkey. hmustafam@hotmail.com
Biber
Erdal
E
Oğün
Tunç
T
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001134:Arm Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005542:Forearm; D006801:Humans; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D008297:Male; D008475:Median Nerve / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D008499:Medical Records; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013708:Tendon Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014421:Turkey / Q000453:epidemiology; D014459:Ulnar Nerve / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery