The use of silicone tubing in the late repair of the median and ulnar nerves in the forearm.

A silicone tube segment was used for repairing the median and ulnar nerves in the forearm. This study includes 26 patients (20 male and six female), with a mean age of 23 years (range, 18-26). Injuries were caused by saw, knife and glass accidents, the latter being most frequent. The mean interval between the injury and repair was 101 days. Fourteen patients had median nerve injuries, eight had ulnar nerve injuries and four had both median and ulnar nerve injuries. The technique was effective in the repair of peripheral nerve injuries with gaps of up to 3 cm, with better results in the ulnar nerves than in the median nerves.