title: Type I collagen nerve conduits for median nerve repairs in the forearm.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate patients with median nerve damage in the distal forearm treated with type 1 collagen nerve conduits.
  
  
  METHODS
  Nine patients with damage to the median nerve in the distal forearm underwent treatment with a type 1 collagen nerve conduit. The nerve gaps ranged between 1 and 2 cm. An independent observer reexamined patients after treatment at a minimal follow-up of 14 months and a mean follow-up of 21 months. Residual pain was evaluated using a visual analog scale. Functional outcome was quantified by assessing static 2-point discrimination, nerve conduction velocity relative to the uninjured limb, and Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand outcome measure scoring. We also recorded quality of life measures including patients' perceived satisfaction with the results and return to work latency.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We observed no implant-related complications. Of 9 patients, 7 were free of pain, and the mean visual analog scale was 0.6. The mean Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand score was 6. The static 2-point discrimination was less than 6 mm in 3 patients, between 6 and 10 mm in 4 patients, and over 10 mm in 2 patients. Six patients reached a status of M4 or higher. Eight patients were satisfied with the procedure and would undergo surgery again.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study indicates that purified type 1 bovine collagen conduits are a practical and efficacious method for the repair of median nerves in the distal forearm.
  
  
  METHODS
  Therapeutic IV.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Trauma Surgery, University Medical Center Aachen, Aachen, Germany.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Dienstknecht
authors.forename: Silvan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Klein
authors.forename: Jody
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Vykoukal
authors.forename: Sebastian
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gehmert
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Koller
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gosau
authors.forename: Lukas
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Prantl
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D024042:Collagen Type I; D005260:Female; D005542:Forearm / Q000294:innervation*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008475:Median Nerve / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery*; D059348:Peripheral Nerve Injuries / Q000601:surgery; D011788:Quality of Life; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D024042:Collagen Type I