F Neubrech 1 , S Heider 1 , M Otte 1 , C Hirche 1 , U Kneser 1 , T Kremer 1 . Show Affiliations »
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BACKGROUND: Nerve tubes are used for bridging of short nerve gaps and for coating of primary end-to-end nerve sutures. This article provides an overview of available implants and their application. Also it presents a retrospective planning study aiming to determine the static 2-point discrimination after primary peripheral nerve repair with and without the use of a nerve tube. The results have been used to determine the sample size of a prospective randomised trial. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 54 peripheral nerve injuries of 41 patients were treated by primary end-to-end nerve sutures with or without the additional use of a nerve tube (n=28 and n=26, respectively ). 38 digital nerves and 16 median and ulnar nerves were affected. Nerve tubes were used for the repair of 15 digital nerves and 13 median and ulnar nerves. Clinical follow-up was performed 46 months after surgery (patients without nerve tubes ) and 18 months after surgery (patients with nerve tubes ), respectively. Static 2-point discrimination (2PD ) was measured by double-tip compasses (weight: 18 g) and patients were examined for clinical signs of neuroma. Further examinations included grip strength as a percentage value compared with the uninjured hand and, in case of finger injuries, the range of motion in the proximal and distal interphalangeal joints, Strickland score, DASH score and implant-associated complications . RESULTS: In patients with primary end-to-end sutures for finger injuries, there were no statistically significant differences between treatment with and without nerve tubes regarding 2PD, grip strength, DASH- or Strickland score . However, 2PD values of patients with nerve tubes had an increased spread. Average 2PD in digital nerves was 4.5 mm (3-15; SD: 3.9) without nerve tubes and 5.5 mm (3-15; SD: 5) with nerve tubes . Average 2PD after lesions of the median and ulnar nerves was 10 mm (3-15; SD: 5.9 and 5.4, respectively) in both groups. CONCLUSION: The additional use of a nerve tube showed no superiority in this planning study. The expected average 2PD is 5 mm after digital nerve injuries and 10 mm after lesions of the median or ulnar nerves. © Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.
RCT Entities: Population
Interventions
Outcomes
BACKGROUND: Nerve tubes are used for bridging of short nerve gaps and for coating of primary end-to-end nerve sutures. This article provides an overview of available implants and their application. Also it presents a retrospective planning study aiming to determine the static 2-point discrimination after primary peripheral nerve repair with and without the use of a nerve tube. The results have been used to determine the sample size of a prospective randomised trial. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 54 peripheral nerve injuries of 41 patients were treated by primary end-to-end nerve sutures with or without the additional use of a nerve tube (n=28 and n=26, respectively). 38 digital nerves and 16 median and ulnar nerves were affected. Nerve tubes were used for the repair of 15 digital nerves and 13 median and ulnar nerves. Clinical follow-up was performed 46 months after surgery (patients without nerve tubes ) and 18 months after surgery (patients with nerve tubes ), respectively. Static 2-point discrimination (2PD) was measured by double-tip compasses (weight: 18 g) and patients were examined for clinical signs of neuroma . Further examinations included grip strength as a percentage value compared with the uninjured hand and, in case of finger injuries, the range of motion in the proximal and distal interphalangeal joints , Strickland score, DASH score and implant-associated complications. RESULTS: In patients with primary end-to-end sutures for finger injuries, there were no statistically significant differences between treatment with and without nerve tubes regarding 2PD, grip strength, DASH- or Strickland score. However, 2PD values of patients with nerve tubes had an increased spread. Average 2PD in digital nerves was 4.5 mm (3-15; SD: 3.9) without nerve tubes and 5.5 mm (3-15; SD: 5) with nerve tubes . Average 2PD after lesions of the median and ulnar nerves was 10 mm (3-15; SD: 5.9 and 5.4, respectively) in both groups. CONCLUSION: The additional use of a nerve tube showed no superiority in this planning study. The expected average 2PD is 5 mm after digital nerve injuries and 10 mm after lesions of the median or ulnar nerves. © Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.
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Year: 2016
PMID: 27311073 DOI: 10.1055/s-0042-104505
Source DB: PubMed Journal: Handchir Mikrochir Plast Chir ISSN: 0722-1819 Impact factor: 1.018