title: Outcomes of short-gap sensory nerve injuries reconstructed with processed nerve allografts from a multicenter registry study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Short-gap digital nerve injuries are a common surgical problem, but the optimal treatment modality is unknown. A multicenter database was queried and analyzed to determine the outcomes of nerve gap reconstructions between 5 and 15 mm with processed nerve allograft.
  
  
  METHODS
  The current RANGER registry is designed to continuously monitor and compile injury, repair, safety, and outcomes data. Centers followed their own standard of care for treatment and follow-up. The database was queried for digital nerve injuries with a gap between 5 and 15 mm reporting sufficient follow-up data to complete outcomes analysis. Available quantitative outcome measures were reviewed and reported. Meaningful recovery was defined by the Medical Research Council Classification (MRCC) scale at S3-S4 for sensory function.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sufficient follow-up data were available for 24 subjects (37 repairs) in the prescribed gap range. Mean age was 43 years (range, 23-81). Mean gap was 11 ± 3 (5-15) mm. Time to repair was 13 ± 42 (0-215) days. There were 25 lacerations, 8 avulsion/amputations, 2 gunshots, 1 crush injury, and 1 injury of unknown mechanism. Meaningful recovery, defined as S3-S4 on the MRCC scales, was reported in 92% of repairs. Sensory recovery of S3+ or S4 was observed in 84% of repairs. Static 2PD was 7.1 ± 2.9 mm (n = 19). Return to light touch was observed in 23 out of 32 repairs reporting Semmes-Weinstein monofilament outcomes (SWMF). There were no reported nerve adverse events.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Sensory outcomes for processed nerve allografts were equivalent to historical controls for nerve autograft and exceed those of conduit. Processed nerve allografts provide an effective solution for short-gap digital nerve reconstructions.
authors.affiliation: Division of Plastic Surgery, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, Kentucky.
authors.forename: Brian D
authors.initials: BD
authors.lastname: Rinker
authors.affiliation: Hand Surgery Division, WellSpan Orthopedics, York, Pennsylvania.
authors.forename: John V
authors.initials: JV
authors.lastname: Ingari
authors.affiliation: Indiana Hand to Shoulder Center, Indianapolis, Indiana.
authors.forename: Jeffrey A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Greenberg
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee.
authors.forename: Wesley P
authors.initials: WP
authors.lastname: Thayer
authors.affiliation: Department of Reconstructive Microsurgery, The Buncke Clinic, San Francisco, California.
authors.forename: Bauback
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Safa
authors.affiliation: Department of Reconstructive Microsurgery, The Buncke Clinic, San Francisco, California.
authors.forename: Gregory M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Buncke
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D064591:Allografts; D005260:Female; D005383:Finger Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D005385:Fingers / Q000294:innervation*; D048091:Guided Tissue Regeneration / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D022125:Lacerations / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008866:Microsurgery / Q000379:methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D010525:Peripheral Nerves / Q000637:transplantation; D012042:Registries; D013242:Sterilization; D013708:Tendon Injuries / Q000601:surgery; D055815:Young Adult