Use of the anterior branch of the medial antebrachial cutaneous nerve as a graft for the repair of defects of the digital nerve

J Bone Joint Surg Am. 1989 Apr;71(4):563-7.

Abstract

Using the anterior branch of the medial antebrachial cutaneous nerve, grafting was performed on twenty-one digital nerves. The goal of the procedure was to repair a traumatic defect of greater than one centimeter in the digital nerves of fourteen patients. The patients were followed for twenty-four to eighty-nine months (average, fifty-seven months). All but one nerve graft restored the ability to distinguish between sharp and dull stimuli, and all but three restored two-point discrimination of between five and fifteen millimeters (average, nine millimeters). No painful neuromas developed at the donor site.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Female
  • Fingers / innervation*
  • Forearm / innervation
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Methods
  • Middle Aged
  • Peripheral Nerve Injuries
  • Peripheral Nerves / transplantation*
  • Sensation
  • Skin / innervation