Age does not affect the outcome after digital nerve repair in children - A retrospective long term follow up.

Abstract

Digital nerve injuries in children are not common, but they are considered to have an excellent prognosis, compared to adults, after nerve injury and repair. In studies including both children and adults age have been found to have an effect on outcome after nerve repair. We investigated in a retrospective follow up study the long-time result after digital nerve injury and repair in children, 1-16 years of age (n=38), and evaluate if age influences outcome. A group with young children, 1-10 years of age (n=18), was compared with a group with older children, 11-16 years of age (n=20). A clinical evaluation to evaluate sensation and grip strength was performed and questionnaires were used [Disability of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH), Cold Sensitivity Severity Scale (CISS), VAS-function and VAS-cosmetic] in median 40 months (range 12-131 months) after the injury and repair. All patient regained normal sensation. No correlations between age and monofilaments were found. Twenty children (52%) reported some problems with cold intolerance (i.e. CISS), but no other abnormal disability was found (i.e. DASH, VAS); again with no differences between the two groups. Children have an excellent long-term recovery after a digital nerve repair and without any influence of age.