Very distal sensory nerve transfers in high median nerve lesions.

PURPOSE: We report on the results of reconstruction of fingertip sensation by very distal nerve transfer in 8 patients with high median nerve lesions. METHODS: Before surgery, patients underwent sensory testing of the hand using Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments. All patients had surgery within 1 year of trauma. For sensory reconstruction, branches of the radial nerve on the proximal phalanx of the index and thumb were sutured to the ulnar proper digital nerve of the thumb and radial proper digital nerve of the index finger. Patients were followed up for 12 months. RESULTS: After median nerve lesions, zones of lost protective sensation were confined to the middle and index finger and the thumb. Sensation on the palm of the hand and proximal phalanx was preserved. Radial nerve transfer to palmar nerves restored protective or better sensation to the fingertips in all patients. Better results were observed for the thumb. Locognosia was acquired in all thumbs, and in 4 of 8 index fingers. Good results were detected even in patients who had undergone surgery later than 6 months after injury. CONCLUSIONS: Fingertip sensation can be restored by very distal nerve transfer of radial nerve branches to palmar nerves at the level of the proximal phalanx. This method of reconstruction appears useful in high median nerve lesions. In chronic lesions of the median nerve at the wrist and lesions in older patients, very distal nerve transfers might be adjunct to nerve grafting.

Restauração cirúrgica da oponência do polegar / Surgical restoration of the thumb opposition

Introdução: A perda da capacidade de oposição do polegar com os dedos longos é umgrave prejuízo funcional. Método: Doze pacientes com perda da oponência por diversascausas foram submetidos à oponencioplastia utilizando-se as técnicas de transferência doextensor próprio do indicador (Burkhalter-Finochietto), do abdutor do dedo mínimo (Huber)ou de um tendão flexor superficial do terceiro ou quarto dedos (Bunnell modificada).Todos os pacientes foram avaliados no pré-operatório e acompanhados no pós-operatórioseguindo um mesmo protocolo. Resultados: Os resultados foram avaliados de acordocom o escore de Kapandji e os critérios de Sundaraji e Mani. Houve ganhos funcionais emonze pacientes. Conclusão: Concluiu-se que bons resultados podem ser alcançados independentementeda técnica cirúrgica utilizada, desde que seja realizada criteriosa avaliaçãoclínica pré-operatória e os princípios básicos para transferência tendínea sejam respeitados.

Introduction: Loss of the thumb’s ability to oppose the fingertips constitutes seriousfunctional damage. Method: Twelve patients with loss of opposition due to varied causeswere submitted to an opponensplasty consisting of either transference of extensor indicisproprius (Burkhalter-Finochietto), abdutor digiti quinti (Huber), or a flexor digitorumsuperficialis (modified Bunnell). All patients were submitted to preoperative assessmentand were followed-up postoperatively using the same protocol. Resultados: Results wereevaluated according to Kapandji’s score and the Sundaraji and Mani criteria. Functionalimprovement was observed in eleven patients. Conclusion: We concluded that good resultscan be achieved irrespective of the technique employed, so long as careful preoperativeevaluation is conducted and the basic principles of tendinous transference are respected.

[Fibrolipomatous hamartoma of the median nerve: case report]. / Hamartoma fibrolipomatoso de nervo mediano: relato de caso.

Fibrolipomatous hamartoma is a rare benign neoplasm that in some cases is associated with macrodactylia. We describe a 31-year-old man who had a tissue enlargement in the wrist, second and third fingers of the left hand since infancy. At 23-years-old he began with continuous, progressive and high intensity pain that occurred more frequently at night, localized in the left hand. It was associated with paraesthesias and hypostesias predominantly at the fingers described above. Investigation with X-ray, ultrasonography, electrodiagnosis, magnetic resonance image of the left wrist and hand showed carpal tunnel syndrome with macrodactylia by fibrolipomatous hamartoma of the median nerve. The patient did not a have good response to clinical therapy, so he was submitted to a surgical decompression of the left carpal tunnel, and after three months of follow up is asymptomatic.

Hamartoma fibrolipomatoso de nervo mediano: relato de caso / Fibrolipomatous hamartoma of the median nerve: case report

Fibrolipomatous hamartoma is a rare benign neoplasm that in some cases is associated with macrodactylia. We describe a 31-year-old man who had a tissue enlargement in the wrist, second and third fingers of the left hand since infancy. At 23-years-old he began with continuous, progressive and high intensity pain that occurred more frequently at night, localized in the left hand. It was associated with paraesthesias and hypostesias predominantly at the fingers described above. Investigation with X-ray, ultrasonography, electrodiagnosis, magnetic resonance image of the left wrist and hand showed carpal tunnel syndrome with macrodactylia by fibrolipomatous hamartoma of the median nerve. The patient did not a have good response to clinical therapy, so he was submitted to a surgical decompression of the left carpal tunnel, and after three months of follow up is asymptomatic.

O hamartoma fibrolipomatoso é neoplasia benigna rara que em alguns casos esta associada com macrodactilia. Descrevemos o caso de homem de 31 anos que apresentava desde o nascimento aumento de volume em região de punho, segundo e terceiro quirodáctilos da mão esquerda. Aos 23 anos iniciou dor contínua, de forte intensidade, predominante no período noturno e de evolução progressiva em mão esquerda. Associada à dor havia hipoestesia e parestesias de predomínio nos segundo e terceiro quirodáctilos esquerdos. A investigação complementar com radiografia, ultrassonografia, estudo eletrofisiológico e ressonância magnética de mão e punho esquerdos confirmaram a suspeita de síndrome do túnel do carpo secundária a macrodactilia com hamartoma fibrolipomatoso do nervo mediano. O paciente foi submetido à descompressão cirúrgica do túnel do carpo esquerdo devido a ausência de resposta ao tratamento clínico e evoluiu com melhora dos sintomas em avaliação após três meses do procedimento.

Notre experience de la chirurgie de la nevrite lepreuse / Our experience with surgery of neuritis in leprosy

The author reports his own experience of the surgery of neuritis in leprosy and specially that of the ulnar nerve. If early applied with good indications and a carefull procedure, the surgical treatment gives a high frequency of sensory and motor recovery, preventing deformities and dehabilitations.