NCT01528397

Reconstruction of Proper Digital Nerve Defects in the Thumb Using a Pedicled Nerve Graft

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 14 (actual)
• Sponsor: The Second Hospital of Tangshan · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 15 Years – 60 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

A proper digital nerve (PDN) defect in the thumb can produce partial or complete sensory loss which can result in functional disability. This article reports the treatment of the thumb PDN defect using a pedicled nerve graft harvested from the dorsal branch of the PDN. Fourteen patients with the thumb PDN defect underwent a new surgical procedure in which the pedicled nerve graft was used to bridge nerve defect. For comparison, the investigators also collected a consecutive series of 21 patients with thumb PDN defects treated using a nonvascularized sural nerve graft. This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of pedicled nerve grafting for PDN defects in the thumb.

Detailed description

At final follow-up, the investigators measured the sensibility of the thumb pulps and the donor sites using the Semmes-Weinstein monofilament test and static 2-point discrimination (2PD) test. The test points were at the centers of the radial and ulnar portions of the thumb pulp and the donor sites separately. Each area was tested 3 times with a Dellon-Mackinnon discriminator. Two out of 3 correct answers were considered proof of perception before proceeding to another lower value.

Conditions

• Nerve Injury

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
PROCEDURE	pedicled nerve graft	A pedicled nerve graft harvested from the dorsal branch of the PDN can be used for reconstruction of such defects. The graft is based on the second dorsal metacarpal artery.

Timeline

• Start date: 2005-05-01
• Primary completion: 2009-09-01
• Completion: 2010-05-01
• First posted: 2012-02-08
• Last updated: 2012-02-08