[Surgical treatment outcomes ın peripheral nerve lesions due to gunshot injuries: assessment of 28 cases].

BACKGROUND

In this retrospective study, we present the results and outcomes in our clinic of 28 patients over 8 years who received surgical treatment for peripheral nerve lesions due to gunshot injury.

METHODS

The patients came to our clinic between January 2002 and February 2010. All came within 1-6 months after the initial gunshot injury and underwent surgery due to the diagnosis of peripheral nerve lesion. Preoperative and postoperative electromyographic analysis (EMG) and motor strength rating were performed on all patients. All patients were called for postoperative follow-up at 1, 6 and 12 months after surgery.

RESULTS

The mean time after initial injury before being seen at our clinic was 3.6 months (1 day - 6 months). The most commonly injured nerve was the sciatic nerve, in 14 cases (50%). Of the patients, 23 came due to a bullet injury (9 were civilian injury with a gun, 14 were military injury with a rifle) and 5 came due to shrapnel injury. Since in all cases integrity of the nervous tissue was fully intact, nerve grafting was not required during surgery. Relatively improved EMG findings, and recovery in motor functions were detected in cases who had undergone postoperative external epineurolysis plus decompression.

CONCLUSION

We recommend surgical treatment within the first six months in neural lesions, depending on gunshot injury, on the condition that surgical technique rules are obeyed (except infection, skin defect, vascular injury, and the presence of bone fracture).