Evaluation and Outcome of Delayed Repair of Post Traumatic Peripheral Nerve Injuries

Background: Peripheral nerve injury (PNI) remains a significant clinical concern, frequently resulting in partial or complete functional impairment.
Objective: This study was designed to investigate the effectiveness of various surgical techniques and to assess the outcomes associated with delayed repair of post-traumatic PNIs.
Patients and Methods: A prospective study that was conducted on 23 patients presenting with post-traumatic PNI. Preoperative evaluations included physical examination, electrophysiological testing, and ultrasound imaging to confirm the diagnosis and to assess the severity of the injury. These assessments were repeated at 3 and 6 months postoperatively to objectively measure nerve function recovery.
Results: Among the 23 patients, 20 (86.96%) were male and 3 (13.04%) were female, with a mean age of 23.13 ± 12.46 years. The majority (86.96%) had upper limb involvement, predominantly affecting the right side (78.2%). At 6-month follow-up, sensory recovery was classified as good in 18 patients (85.71%) and satisfactory in 3 patients (14.29%), with statistically significant improvement (P < 0.001). Regarding motor recovery at 6 months, 6 patients (31.57%) achieved good outcomes, 8 (42.1%) had satisfactory recovery, 4 (21.1%) showed moderate recovery, and 1 patient (5.88%) had poor recovery. By one year, motor function had improved significantly (P < 0.001), with 11 patients (57.82%) achieving good recovery, 6 patients (31.57%) demonstrating satisfactory recovery, and 2 patients (11.6%) showed moderate recovery.
Conclusions: PNI remains a considerable source of morbidity and functional limitation. A variety of surgical approaches can contribute to improved outcomes. Favorable prognostic factors included younger age, distal location of the injury, and timely surgical intervention. In cases of delayed, proximal injuries, nerve transfer techniques may offer promising results for functional restoration.