An Investigation of the Factors Affecting the Results of Digital Nerve Division

Abstract

Abstract The results of an analysis of sensory recovery after digital nerve division shows that the age of the patient at the time of injury is the most important single factor. It has been shown that other factors which may improve the chances of a good result are:— 1. 1. clean wound; 2. 2. prompt wound excision and suture; 3. 3. distal nerve division; 4. 4. skilled occupation. A high proportion of poor results was associated with the following factors:— 1. 1. contaminated wound; 2. 2. delayed wound closure; 3. 3. severe or multiple tissue damage; 4. 4. failure to appose the nerve ends at the time of initial wound management; 5. 5. reconstruction of other structures at secondary repair.