[Results of emergency repair of wounds of palmar collateral nerves of the fingers]

Abstract

A group of 107 patients with 110 injured digital nerves was studied one year after microsurgical nerve suture. Return of sensibility was tested within the autonomous zones for the nerve. Four tests were used to appreciate the results: pain, Tinel sign, Weber two point discrimination test, the return of the sensibility appreciated by the patient himself. At follow-up, 86 per cent of the patients were found without pain, 75 per cent without Tinel sign, 68 per cent achieved a two point discrimination test of < or = 7 mm, 18 per cent were found with a discrimination test value of 9 mm or more. 93 per cent were satisfied or very satisfied. Of the factors studied, the patient's age at the time of nerve suture was found to be directly related to the return of sensibility as tested by two point discrimination test. Although the return of sensibility following nerve suture in adults is not as good as in children, primary suture of the nerve is worthwhile, a protective sensation is better than an anesthetic digit, and the incidence of painful neuroma is very minimal. The findings in the present study indicate that the nerve suture gives better results that the nerve graft.