Post-Traumatic Neuralgia in the Upper Extremity Treated with Extraneural Scar Excision and Flap Cover

Abstract

19 patients with neuralgia in the upper limb after surgical or non-surgical trauma to peripheral nerves were treated by excision of the extraneural scar and surrounding hypersensitive skin and application of free or pedicle flaps. The subcutaneous fat of the flaps was wrapped around the affected nerves. After a mean follow-up time of 5.8 years the patients were sent a questionnaire. Only one patient considered herself cured, six were almost cured and seven improved. Two patients were unchanged and three worse. The results after three to four months appeared stable.