Long-term surgical outcome of median nerve injuries

Abstract

Background: Median nerve integrity is a prerequisite of normal hand function. The median nerve is a frequently injured nerve, and recent evidence indicates that nerve surgery may produce acceptable outcomes. The present study provides a framework of long-term surgical outcomes of median nerve injuries and specifies independent predictors of motor and sensory recovery. Materials and Methods: In the retrospective study, patients with median nerve injuries undergoing the nerve surgery were reviewed. Mechanism of injury, level of injury (arm, elbow/forearm, and wrist), type of injury and lesion, type of surgical repair, and the time interval from injury to surgery were assessed. The long-term follow-up of motor recovery, sensory recovery, and quality of life was done. Results: A total of 106 cases with median nerve injuries undergoing nerve surgery were included in this study. Most injuries were at wrist level with a higher frequency of sharp and not in continuity lesions. There was a significant association between the three outcomes (motor recovery, sensory recovery, and quality of life) and smoking, addiction, type of injury, type of lesion, and type of nerve repair. There was a significant correlation between quality of life and muscle force recovery and between quality of life and sensory recovery. Muscle force recovery was significantly correlated with sensory recovery. Conclusions: The findings of the present study suggest that male and young subjects, lesions in continuity, and injuries treated without grafting may show better surgical outcomes.