Abstract
References
- 1.Zhang Y, Hou N, Zhang J, et al. Treatment optionsfor digital nerve injury: a systematic review andmeta-analysis. J Orthop Surg Res. 2023;18(1):675.
- 2.Turhan S, Aydogan A, Ozkan G. Mid-term resultsafter isolated digital nerve repair in patientspresenting with hand injury. Medicine. 2020;9(4):926-8.
- 3.Slutsky DJ. The management of digital nerveinjuries. J Hand Surg Am. 2014;39(6):1208-15.
- 4.Çatal B. Dijital sinir tamir sonuçları ve etkileyenfaktörler. Muğla Sıtkı Koçman Üniversitesi TıpDergisi. 2020;7(3): 150-4.
- 5.Bağır M, Sayit E, Tekin M, et al. Reconstruction ofdigital nerve defects with posterior interosseousnerve terminal joint branch. Hand andMicrosurgery. 2021;10(2):152.
- 6.Evertsson L, Björkman A, Turesson C, Arner M,Mellstrand Navarro C. Long-term subjective and objective outcomes after digital nerve repair: a cohort study. J Hand Surg Eur Vol. 2025;50(5):649-58.
- 7.Taras JS, Jacoby SM, Lincoski CJ. Reconstruction ofdigital nerves with collagen conduits. J Hand SurgAm. 2011;36(9):1441-6.
- 8.Acott TR. Digital Nerve Reconstruction. OrthopClin North Am. 2022;53(2):187-95.
- 9.Thomas PR, Saunders RJ, Means KR. Comparisonof digital nerve sensory recovery after repair usingloupe or operating microscope magnification. J Hand Surg Eur Vol. 2015;40(6):608-13.
- 10.Rinkel WD, Huisstede BM, van der Avoort DJ,Coert JH, Hovius SE. What is evidence based in thereconstruction of digital nerves? A systematicreview. J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg.2013;66(2):151-64.
- 11.Bulut T, Akgün U, Çıtlak A, et al. Prognosticfactors in sensory recovery after digital nerve repair. Acta Orthop Traumatol Turc. 2016;50(2):157-61.
- 12.Jain A, Dunlop R, Hems T, Tang JB. Outcomes ofsurgical repair of a single digital nerve in adults. JHand Surg Eur Vol. 2019;44(6):560-5.
- 13.Acar E, Turkmen F, Korucu IH, Karaduman M,Karalezli N. Outcomes of primary surgical repair ofzone 2 Digital nerve injury. Acta Orthop Belg.2018;84(1):84-93.
- 14.Aman M, Zimmermann KS, Glaser JJ, DaeschlerSC, Boecker AH, Harhaus L. Revealing digital nervelesions-A comprehensive analysis of 2084 cases of aspecialized center. Injury. 2024;55(6):111514.
- 15.Andelkovic SZ, Lesic AR, Bumbasirevic MZ,Rasulic LG. The Outcomes of 150 ConsecutivePatients with Digital Nerve Injuries Treated in aSingle Center. Turk Neurosurg. 2017;27(2):289-93.
- 16. Fakin RM, Calcagni M, Klein HJ, Giovanoli P. Long-term clinical outcome after epineural coaptation ofdigital nerves. J Hand Surg Eur Vol. 2016;41(2):148-54.
- 17.Kim JS, Bonsu NY, Leland HA, et al. A SystematicReview of Prognostic Factors for Sensory RecoveryAfter Digital Nerve Reconstruction. Ann Plast Surg.2018;80(5):311-16.
- 18.Paprottka FJ, Wolf P, Harder Y, et al. Sensoryrecovery outcome after digital nerve repair inrelation to different reconstructive techniques:meta-analysis and systematic review. Plast Surg Int.2013;2013:704589.
- 19.Pamuk Ç. Digital nerve injury: to repair or not? IrJ Med Sci. 2023;192(5):2235-41.
- 20. Herman ZJ, Ilyas AM. Sensory Outcomes in Digital Nerve Repair Techniques: An Updated Meta-analysis and Systematic Review. Hand (N Y).2020;15(2):157-64.
- 21.Frostadottir D, Ekman L, Zimmerman M, et al.Cold sensitivity, functional disability and predictingfactors after a repaired digital nerve injury. Sci Rep.2022;12(1):4847.
- 22.Ayhan E, Ciftaslan A, Bagir M, Eskandari M. Doesthe patient satisfaction correlate with sensorialrecovery after primary repair of digital nerves andflexor tendons? Turk J Plast Surg. 2019;27(2):73-6.
- 23.Dautel G, Merle M. The blood supply of digitalnerves: a microanatomical study of superficial anddeep palmar venous networks. J Hand Surg Br.1992;17(6):632-7.
- 24.Dunlop RLE, Wormald JCR, Jain A. Outcome ofsurgical repair of adult digital nerve injury: asystematic review. BMJ Open. 2019;9(3):e025443.
Abstract
Purpose: Digital nerve injuries can lead to sensory loss, pain, cold intolerance, and reduced quality of life. This study evaluates the outcomes of primary tension-free end-to-end repair under a microscope and the factors affecting these results.
Methods: A retrospective review of 27 fingers from 23 patients treated between January 2022 and May 2024 was evaluated. Epineural repair was performed using 8:0 or 9:0 polypropylene sutures. Sensory recovery was assessed with two-point discrimination (2-PDT) and the Semmes-Weinstein Monofilament Test (SWMT). Cold intolerance and patient satisfaction were recorded.
Results: Of the patients, 43.5% (n=10) were female, with a mean age of 39.3 years (range: 15-56), and the mean follow-up duration was 21.1 months (range: 6-31). The mean 2-PDT was 8.89 ± 3.9 mm (range: 4-20), with excellent and good sensory recovery observed in 92.6% of cases. The mean SWMT was 3.49 ± 0.6 (range: 2.44-5.07), and only 3.7% of patients exhibited loss of protective sensation. Cold intolerance was present in 48.1% of cases. Patient satisfaction scores averaged 7.8 ± 1.3 (range: 5-10) on a 10-point scale. The presence of flexor tendon or digital artery injuries and cold intolerance was significantly associated with lower satisfaction scores (p < 0.05)
Conclusion: Primary epineural repair under a microscope is effective in restoring sensory function following digital nerve injuries and contributes to high patient satisfaction. However, coexisting injuries and cold intolerance negatively impact outcomes. Further studies with larger cohorts are needed.
Keywords
Digital nerve injury digital nerve repair sensory recovery cold intolerance patient satisfaction.
References
- 1.Zhang Y, Hou N, Zhang J, et al. Treatment optionsfor digital nerve injury: a systematic review andmeta-analysis. J Orthop Surg Res. 2023;18(1):675.
- 2.Turhan S, Aydogan A, Ozkan G. Mid-term resultsafter isolated digital nerve repair in patientspresenting with hand injury. Medicine. 2020;9(4):926-8.
- 3.Slutsky DJ. The management of digital nerveinjuries. J Hand Surg Am. 2014;39(6):1208-15.
- 4.Çatal B. Dijital sinir tamir sonuçları ve etkileyenfaktörler. Muğla Sıtkı Koçman Üniversitesi TıpDergisi. 2020;7(3): 150-4.
- 5.Bağır M, Sayit E, Tekin M, et al. Reconstruction ofdigital nerve defects with posterior interosseousnerve terminal joint branch. Hand andMicrosurgery. 2021;10(2):152.
- 6.Evertsson L, Björkman A, Turesson C, Arner M,Mellstrand Navarro C. Long-term subjective and objective outcomes after digital nerve repair: a cohort study. J Hand Surg Eur Vol. 2025;50(5):649-58.
- 7.Taras JS, Jacoby SM, Lincoski CJ. Reconstruction ofdigital nerves with collagen conduits. J Hand SurgAm. 2011;36(9):1441-6.
- 8.Acott TR. Digital Nerve Reconstruction. OrthopClin North Am. 2022;53(2):187-95.
- 9.Thomas PR, Saunders RJ, Means KR. Comparisonof digital nerve sensory recovery after repair usingloupe or operating microscope magnification. J Hand Surg Eur Vol. 2015;40(6):608-13.
- 10.Rinkel WD, Huisstede BM, van der Avoort DJ,Coert JH, Hovius SE. What is evidence based in thereconstruction of digital nerves? A systematicreview. J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg.2013;66(2):151-64.
- 11.Bulut T, Akgün U, Çıtlak A, et al. Prognosticfactors in sensory recovery after digital nerve repair. Acta Orthop Traumatol Turc. 2016;50(2):157-61.
- 12.Jain A, Dunlop R, Hems T, Tang JB. Outcomes ofsurgical repair of a single digital nerve in adults. JHand Surg Eur Vol. 2019;44(6):560-5.
- 13.Acar E, Turkmen F, Korucu IH, Karaduman M,Karalezli N. Outcomes of primary surgical repair ofzone 2 Digital nerve injury. Acta Orthop Belg.2018;84(1):84-93.
- 14.Aman M, Zimmermann KS, Glaser JJ, DaeschlerSC, Boecker AH, Harhaus L. Revealing digital nervelesions-A comprehensive analysis of 2084 cases of aspecialized center. Injury. 2024;55(6):111514.
- 15.Andelkovic SZ, Lesic AR, Bumbasirevic MZ,Rasulic LG. The Outcomes of 150 ConsecutivePatients with Digital Nerve Injuries Treated in aSingle Center. Turk Neurosurg. 2017;27(2):289-93.
- 16. Fakin RM, Calcagni M, Klein HJ, Giovanoli P. Long-term clinical outcome after epineural coaptation ofdigital nerves. J Hand Surg Eur Vol. 2016;41(2):148-54.
- 17.Kim JS, Bonsu NY, Leland HA, et al. A SystematicReview of Prognostic Factors for Sensory RecoveryAfter Digital Nerve Reconstruction. Ann Plast Surg.2018;80(5):311-16.
- 18.Paprottka FJ, Wolf P, Harder Y, et al. Sensoryrecovery outcome after digital nerve repair inrelation to different reconstructive techniques:meta-analysis and systematic review. Plast Surg Int.2013;2013:704589.
- 19.Pamuk Ç. Digital nerve injury: to repair or not? IrJ Med Sci. 2023;192(5):2235-41.
- 20. Herman ZJ, Ilyas AM. Sensory Outcomes in Digital Nerve Repair Techniques: An Updated Meta-analysis and Systematic Review. Hand (N Y).2020;15(2):157-64.
- 21.Frostadottir D, Ekman L, Zimmerman M, et al.Cold sensitivity, functional disability and predictingfactors after a repaired digital nerve injury. Sci Rep.2022;12(1):4847.
- 22.Ayhan E, Ciftaslan A, Bagir M, Eskandari M. Doesthe patient satisfaction correlate with sensorialrecovery after primary repair of digital nerves andflexor tendons? Turk J Plast Surg. 2019;27(2):73-6.
- 23.Dautel G, Merle M. The blood supply of digitalnerves: a microanatomical study of superficial anddeep palmar venous networks. J Hand Surg Br.1992;17(6):632-7.
- 24.Dunlop RLE, Wormald JCR, Jain A. Outcome ofsurgical repair of adult digital nerve injury: asystematic review. BMJ Open. 2019;9(3):e025443.
Details
| Primary Language | English |
|---|---|
| Subjects | Medical Education, Health Services and Systems (Other) |
| Journal Section | Original Articles |
| Authors | |
| Publication Date | June 20, 2025 |
| Submission Date | March 18, 2025 |
| Acceptance Date | May 9, 2025 |
| Published in Issue | Year 2025 Volume: 52 Issue: 2 |
