Repair and functional reconstruction of common peroneal nerve injuries: A retrospective study of 18 cases

Hongmou YUAN; Ximin FENG; Xiyuan WANG; Jiuli AN

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND:

The repair and functional reconstruction of peripheral traumatic nerves depend, on posttraumatic operation time and operative techniques which have certain referential value.

OBJECTIVE:

To explore the effects of related factors on the repair and functional reconstruction of common peroneal nerve (CPN) after injuries.

DESIGN:

A case analysis.

SETTING:

Department of Orthopaedics, Fourth Hospital Affiliated to China Medical University.

PARTICIPANTS:

Eighteen patients diagnosed with simple CPN injury received treatment in the Department of Orthopedic Surgery of the Fourth Affiliated Hospital, Chinese Medical University, between January 1991 and January 2001. There were 15 males and 3 females aged 12-61 years old with the mean age of 26.5 years; there were 9 cases of complete transection, 3 cases of incomplete transection, 1 case of compression, 4 cases of contusion, and 1 case of irreversible injury. Posttraumatic treatment at hospital was obtained 0.5 hour to 6 months after injury.

METHODS:

All patients were subjected to CPN explorative operation;neuroanastomosis was performed on 12 cases, neurolysis on 2 cases, tendon graft on 1 case and conservative treatment on 3 cases. Antibiotics were administered after operation together with blood activating medicine and neurotrophic medicine. Moreover, the patients were required to do passive functional exercise in order to avoid arkylosis and myoatrophy.MAIN OUTCOME

MEASURES:

Functional recovery of CPN was assessed at postoperative 6 months based on the myodynamia of the same side anterior tibia muscles (excellent above grade 4; good grade 3; passable grade 2; poor grade 1 or grade 0).

RESULTS:

All the 18 patients entered the results analysis; their outcomes were assessed as excellent in 10 cases, good in 6 cases, and passable in 2cases, with the excellent rate being 89% (16/18).

CONCLUSION:

Patients diagnosed with CPN injury should be treated with primary repair of traumatic nerves as early as possible, which will benefit the functional recovery of limbs.