Results of microsurgical treatment of nerve injuries of the wrist.

A retrospective study was made of 62 patients with sharp, total transection of the ulnar and/or median nerves, operated on with use of microsurgical techniques. The results were evaluated in 44 patients. Following primary repair of the median nerve, eight patients achieved a reasonable result (8/25, 32%) and 13 a good result (13/25, 52%). In contrast, after secondary nerve grafting in six patients, only one patient achieved a reasonable result (1/6, 17%) and three a good result (3/6, 50%). After primary repair of the ulnar nerve, four patients (4/10, 40%) achieved a reasonable result, and five a good result (5/10, 50%). In contrast, after secondary nerve grafting in five patients, four achieved a reasonable result (4/5, 80%) and none a good result. The age of the patients appeared to determine the quality of recovery; in all patients younger than 20 years reasonable or good function of the nerve returned.