title: Reconstruction of the human median nerve in the forearm with the Neurotube.
abstract: Reconstruction of the median nerve in the forearm traditionally has required multiple interfascicular interposition autologous nerve grafts. Recovery of two-point discrimination, even in young adults, has been reported rarely. Two patients, aged 43 and 61, are reported with 5-year follow-up of median nerve reconstruction in the distal forearm in which multiple interposition bioabsorbable polyglycolic acid conduits (Neurotube) were used to bridge the 3-cm nerve defects. Four separate 2.3-mm diameter, 4.0-cm long conduits were used in each patient. Sensory re-education was used for rehabilitation. Each patient recovered two-point discrimination with good localization in the thumb, index, and middle finger by 2 years after the nerve reconstruction. Both patients recovered abductor pollicis brevis function.
authors.affiliation: Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
authors.forename: Nicholas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Donoghoe
authors.forename: Gedge D
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Rosson
authors.forename: A Lee
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Dellon
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008475:Median Nerve / Q000293:injuries* / Q000503:physiopathology; D020423:Median Neuropathy / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008866:Microsurgery / Q000295:instrumentation*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009416:Nerve Regeneration / Q000502:physiology; D009463:Neuroma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D010524:Peripheral Nervous System Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid
chemical_list: D011100:Polyglycolic Acid