Abstract
Objective: The aim of our study is to retrospectively evaluate the patients who had digital nerve defective injuries of the hand which was reconstructed with the terminal branch of posterior interosseous nerve (PIN) for treatment.
Methods: Twenty-three patients with digital nerve defective injuries, who applied late and were treated with PIN terminal branch grafting were included in the study. The mean age of the patients was 36.4 ± 8.1 years and the mean follow-up duration was 17.3 ± 3.2 months. The mean interval between the injury and the surgery was 5 (2-8) months, and the average gap in defective site was 19.7 ± 3.8 mm. Clinical assessment of the nerve healing was made with Semmes Weinstein Monofilament (SWM) test and Static 2 Point Discrimination (S2PD) test and, the results were classified according to the British Medical Research Council (BMRC) scoring system.
Results: The mean SMW test result was determined as 2.8 (2.8-20) grams, and the mean S2PD test result as 6 (4-20) mm at the sensory area of reconstructed nerve. Accordingly, BMRC scoring system revealed that sensory improvement was S4 level in 15 (65.2%) patients, S3 + in 4 (17.4%), S3 in 3 (13%) patients, and S2 level in 1 (4.3%) patient. Neuroma was not detected at any of the patients within the donor site. Scar formation was detected at 6 (26.1%) patients.
Conclusion: PIN terminal branch is an appropriate substitute for digital nerve reconstruction with minimum morbidity and acceptable efficiency.
Key words: Autograft, digital nerve, posterior interosseous nerve terminal branch
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