Peripheral Nerve Injuries of the Upper Extremity

Ahn, Jin Hwan; Yoo, Myung Chul; Kim, Bong Kun; Lim, Hong Chul

Abstract

Ninety-one nerve injuries (median; 36, ulnar; 43, radial; 12) involving the upper extremity in 66 patients were studied over a twelve-month period. The results for the median, ulnar and radial nerves after nerve repair were analyzed with respect to the suture method, the age, the level of injury and the time interval from injury. The results were obtained as follows: 1. Sympathetic nerve function returned from 6 weeks (average) after operation. 2. There are better results in perineurial suture than in epineurial suture. 3. There are better results in under 16 years old than over 16 years. 4. There are better results in high level injury than in low level. 5. There are the best results in the delayed primary suture, the next in the primary suture and the last in the secondary suture. 6. Good recovery in motor function was observed in radial, median and ulnar nerve in order.