Results of digital neurorrhaphy in adults

Abstract

Forty-two digital neurorrhaphies utilizing contemporary techniques and suture material are reviewed. 17% regained near normal function. Another 30% regained imperfect, but very pleasing function. Half of the patients were left with moderate to marked hypoaesthesia, but protective sensation. Protective sensation did not return to those nerves left unrepaired. Immediate repair did not allow better recovery than repair within six days. Delay up to eleven months did not obviate pleasing return of sensibility. Similarly, simultaneous tenorrhaphy did not seem to affect the quality of the result. Crushing, or avulsive injuries always resulted in "poor" return of sensibility. Testing two-point discrimination with the technique of Dellon will reveal recovery of epicritic sensation earlier than any other technique. After six months, few patients regained, or lost sensibility. The severed digital nerve must still carry a guarded prognosis in the adult.