The results of secondary microsurgical repair of ulnar nerve injury

Abstract

110 patients with injuries to the ulnar nerve were assessed, on average, 12.7 (3-20) years after secondary repair. 89 were male and 21 female, with a mean age of 27.9 years. Most of the nerve lesions were sharp (63) or blunt (41) injuries. Division was total in 76 cases and most were at the forearm level. The average delay from the injury to the operation was 10.1 (1-48) months. Secondary repair was performed in 34 cases and fascicular grafting in 76 cases. The mean graft length was 5.4 (1-30) cm. Four factors of motor and sensory function were assessed and the quantitative evaluation was compared with the MRC classification. Useful results were obtained in only 51.8% and poor in 30.9%. The age of the patient, the width of contusion, the pre-operative delay, and the level of the injury influenced the results significantly.