Quantitative assessment of sural nerve donor site sensitivity: one week and one year after surgery

• Published in: European journal of plastic surgery 2013, Vol.36 (1), p.31-35
• Main Authors: Fatemi, Mohammad Javad, Akbari, Hossein, Taghavi, Shahrzad, Saberi, Mohsen, Amini, Sahar, Niazi, Mitra
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Original Paper; Plastic Surgery
• ISSN: 0930-343X; 1435-0130
• DOI: 10.1007/s00238-012-0741-z

Background The use of autologous nerve material has become the gold standard for reconstructing peripheral nerve defects. For various applications, nerve grafting is required to restore nerve continuity, and the sural nerve may be considered the best option for such purposes. The aim of this study was to quantitatively assess the recovery of donor site sensory deficit following sural nerve harvest. Methods This descriptive study was performed on 30 patients in the first week after surgery and 23 patients 1 year after sural nerve harvest. Mapping of the affected area was performed using Semmes–Weinstein monofilaments. Then, the areas of diminished or loss of sensation were evaluated with monofilament test, static and dynamic two-point discrimination, and temperature sensitivity. Also, the complaints of paresthesia, numbness, and pain were measured. The results were compared in the two groups. Results The area of diminished or loss of sensation 1 week after surgery was significantly reduced after 1 year ( p  = 0.000). A reduction was observed in the patients' complaints, especially in numbness and paresthesia, and better results were obtained in clinical findings, significantly in dynamic two-point discrimination and temperature sensation. Conclusion In this study, donor site adverse effects of sural nerve harvest decreased over time, and improvements in sensory tests were observed; however, more studies should be performed on this topic. Level of Evidence: Level III, diagnostic study.