Clinical outcomes following neurolysis and porcine collagen extracellular matrix wrapping of scarred nerves in revision carpal tunnel decompression

Abstract

Scar tether after primary nerve decompression can impair physiological nerve glide and vascularity of the nerve. Revision decompression in the setting of neurostenalgia should address the scarred mesoneurium in order to prevent further entrapment and tether. This study reports on the clinical outcomes of 12 patients with neurostenalgia following carpal tunnel decompression (CTD), treated with revision CTD and a porcine submucosa extracellular matrix nerve wrap (PECM) (Axoguard® nerve protector, Axogen Inc., Alachua, FL). Eleven patients had one primary decompression procedure prior to revision surgery; one patient previously had two operations for CTD. There was a significant reduction in visual analogue pain scores (VAS) and improvement in patients' satisfaction rating and symptom resolution. Patient-reported outcome measures were recorded using the Impact of Hand Nerve Disorders (I-HaND) Scale (Version 2), which demonstrated a significant reduction in hand disability. There were no complications attributable to the procedure and no re-revision procedures necessary at the latest follow-up.