Functional and electrophysiological outcome after autogenous vein wrapping of primary repaired ulnar nerves

Purpose: This study aimed at assessing the functional and electrophysiological recovery after vein wrapping of primary repaired ulnar nerves

Methods: From January 2010 till December 2012, 23 patients (diagnosed with distal ulnar nerve injury) were prospectively studied where they were divided into two groups; group one (11 patients) and group two (12 patients). The injury was sharp in all cases but for one. The first group was managed by primary epineurorraphy. The second group was managed by primary epineurorraphy and autogenous vein wrapping. Final outcome was based on sensory recovery, motor recovery, and the presence or absence of electrophysiological response

Results: Clinically, only one case in each group exhibited negative Tinel's sign. The second group achieved statistically significant superiority regarding motor recovery (P = 0.018), sensory recovery (P = 0.042) and electrophysiological recovery (P = 0.044). Group one showed two good, two satisfactory, six moderate, and one bad results while the second group showed five good, six satisfactory, one bad and no moderate results (P = 0.026). The first time to show clinical response in group one was the third month while in the second group it was at 1.5 month (P < 0.001). In addition, the first time to show electromyographic response in group one was at the sixth month while in group two it was at the third month

Conclusions: Vein wrapping is a simple technique that could be used reliably to augment primary neurorrhaphy particularly in cases with associated vascular or tendon injuries to prevent scarring and enhance functional and electrophysiological recovery.