title: Sequelae following sural nerve biopsy in type 1 diabetic subjects.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To detect post-operative sequelae of sural nerve biopsy.
  
  
  METHODS
  A questionnaire mailed to type 1 diabetic patients (n = 24; male/female 23/1; reply n = 23) 2 years after biopsy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Type 1 diabetic patients (age 56 [11]; median [interquartile range]) had a long duration of diabetes (DM; 20 [19] years) and all had neuropathy. Three out of 24 patients developed infection (two superficial and one deep) and one had a post-operative bleeding. Less frequent pain among the patients were reported from one centre. About one-third or more of the patients still complained of pain, mostly mild, in the biopsy area and paraesthesia in the foot 2 years after surgery. More than two-thirds of the patients were reluctant for further biopsy; a crucial information in drug trial planning.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Sequelae of a sural nerve biopsy occur in type 1 DM. The risk for wound infections should be considered.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences, Hand Surgery, University Hospital Malmö, Malmö, Sweden. Lars.Dahlin@med.lu.se
authors.forename: L B
authors.initials: LB
authors.lastname: Dahlin
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Lithner
authors.forename: L-E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Bresäter
authors.forename: N O B
authors.initials: NO
authors.lastname: Thomsen
authors.forename: K-F
authors.initials: KF
authors.lastname: Eriksson
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sundkvist
mesh_terms: D001706:Biopsy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000473:pathology*; D003929:Diabetic Neuropathies / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013497:Sural Nerve / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires