Comparison of short- with long-term regeneration results after digital nerve reconstruction with musclein-vein conduits

• Published in: 中国神经再生研究：英文版 2015-10, Vol.10 (10), p.1674-1677
• Main Author: Jennifer Lynn Schiefer Lukas Schulz Rebekka Rath Stéphane Stahl Hans-Eberhard Schaller Theodora Manoli
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 临床症状; 再生效果; 尼龙单丝; 神经移植; 神经缺损; 肌肉; 辨别; 静脉
• ISSN: 1673-5374
• DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.165321

Muscle-in-vein conduits are used alternatively to nerve grafts for bridging nerve defects. The purpose of this study was to examine short- and long-term regeneration results after digital nerve reconstruction with muscle-in-vein conduits. Static and moving two-point discriminations and Semmes-Weinstein Monofilaments were used to evaluate sensory recovery 6–12 months and 14–35 months after repair of digital nerves with muscle-in-vein in 7 cases. Both follow-ups were performed after clinical signs of progressing regeneration disappeared. In 4 of 7 cases, a further recovery of both two-point discriminations and in another case of only the static two-point discrimination of 1–3 mm could be found between the short-term and long-term follow-up examination. Moreover, a late recovery of both two-point discriminations was demonstrated in another case. Four of 7 cases showed a sensory improvement by one Semmes-Weinstein Monofilaments. This pilot study suggests that sensory recovery still takes place even when clinical signs of progressing regeneration disappear.