Roberto Adani1, Pierluigi Tos2, Luigi Tarallo2, Massimo Corain2. 1. Department of Hand Surgery and Microsurgery, University Hospital of Verona, Verona, Italy; Department of Microsurgery, CTO Torino, Torino, Italy; Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy. Electronic address: roberto.adani@ospedaleuniverona.it. 2. Department of Hand Surgery and Microsurgery, University Hospital of Verona, Verona, Italy; Department of Microsurgery, CTO Torino, Torino, Italy; Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy.
Abstract
PURPOSE: To review the outcomes of 8 patients with painful median nerve neuromas at the wrist treated with external neurolysis and covered with pedicled perforator adipofascial flaps. METHODS: Between 2004 and 2010, we treated 8 patients, who had a mean age of 37 years, and who had posttraumatic painful median nerve neuromas at the level of the wrist but with retained median nerve function . All of them reported neuropathic pain and had a positive Tinel's sign over the site of the presumed neuroma. The surgical procedure included external neurolysis and coverage with an ulnar artery perforator adipofascial flap (4 patients) or with a radial artery perforator adipofascial flap (4 patients). Patients were reviewed after a mean follow-up of 41 months (range, 18-84 mo). Preoperative and postoperative pain was measured with a visual analog scale. RESULTS: Pain improved from a preoperative mean value of 7.8 to a postoperative mean value of 3.6. There was complete resolution of pain in 5 patients, mild pain persisted in 2 patients, and 1 patient reported no improvement. No complications occurred at the donor site. CONCLUSIONS: Vascularized soft tissue coverage of painful median nerve neuromas is an effective treatment. We do not believe that a free flap is of any particular advantage over a local pedicle flap which we suggest using to protect the median nerve. TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic IV.
PURPOSE: To review the outcomes of 8 patients with painful median nerve neuromas at the wrist treated with external neurolysis and covered with pedicled perforator adipofascial flaps. METHODS: Between 2004 and 2010, we treated 8 patients, who had a mean age of 37 years, and who had posttraumatic painful median nerve neuromas at the level of the wrist but with retained median nerve function . All of them reported neuropathic pain and had a positive Tinel's sign over the site of the presumed neuroma. The surgical procedure included external neurolysis and coverage with an ulnar artery perforator adipofascial flap (4 patients) or with a radial artery perforator adipofascial flap (4 patients). Patients were reviewed after a mean follow-up of 41 months (range, 18-84 mo). Preoperative and postoperative pain was measured with a visual analog scale. RESULTS:Pain improved from a preoperative mean value of 7.8 to a postoperative mean value of 3.6. There was complete resolution of pain in 5 patients, mild pain persisted in 2 patients, and 1 patient reported no improvement. No complications occurred at the donor site. CONCLUSIONS: Vascularized soft tissue coverage of painful median nerve neuromas is an effective treatment. We do not believe that a free flap is of any particular advantage over a local pedicle flap which we suggest using to protect the median nerve. TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic IV.
Authors: Louis H Poppler; Rajiv P Parikh; Miles J Bichanich; Kelsey Rebehn; Carrie R Bettlach; Susan E Mackinnon; Amy M Moore Journal: Pain Date: 2018-02 Impact factor: 7.926