Median nerve reconstruction after entrapment in the elbow.

Median nerve entrapment in the elbow is a known but rare complication of pediatric elbow dislocations. It is classified on the anatomical basis of entrapment. Due to a variety of factors, it is often diagnosed late. Because of this, substantial injury occurs to the nerve, requiring some form of restorative surgery in addition to release from the joint. Such nerve injury has been treated in a variety of ways including neurolysis, end-to-end anastomosis and nerve grafting. To date, there has been no conclusive evidence in the literature that one method should be preferred over another. A case of median nerve entrapment that was treated with sural nerve grafting is presented. In a review of the literature, previous treatment of such cases is discussed and compared.