title: Interdigital direct neurorrhaphy for treatment of painful neuroma due to finger amputation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Painful neuroma following amputation is a disabling condition for which treatments are not usually satisfactory. The aim of this study is to retrospectively evaluate the results of interdigital neurorrhaphy after neuroma resection as an option for the surgical treatment of painful digital neuroma.
  
  
  METHODS
  We retrospectively analyzed data from seven patients submitted to interdigital neurorrhaphy for treatment of digital neuroma. For evaluation of the results, the visual analog scale (VAS) for pain assessment, measurements with Simmens-Weinstein filaments and a handgrip dynamometer, and quantification of the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) score were all performed. The mean improvements on the VAS and DASH scores were calculated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean follow-up was 28.3 months. All patients presented some degree of improvement in upper limb functionality and pain, and handling the affected finger was possible in all cases. The mean improvement on the VAS and DASH scores was 29.8 and 55.5 %, respectively. No patients presented long-term complications.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although this study was based on a small number of patients, it indicates that interdigital neurorrhaphy seems to be a feasible surgical treatment for painful digital neuroma.
authors.affiliation: Peripheral Nerve Surgery Unit, Division of Neurosurgery, University of São Paulo Medical School, R. Oscar Freire 2250, 5409011, São Paulo, SP, Brazil, rsnervo@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Roberto Sergio
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Martins
authors.forename: Mario Gilberto
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Siqueira
authors.forename: Carlos Otto
authors.initials: CO
authors.lastname: Heise
authors.forename: Lin Tchia
authors.initials: LT
authors.lastname: Yeng
authors.forename: Daniel Ciampi
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: de Andrade
authors.forename: Manoel Jacobsen
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Teixeira
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000671:Amputation, Surgical / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D005385:Fingers / Q000294:innervation / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009437:Neuralgia / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D009463:Neuroma / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome