[Repair and reconstruction of radial nerve injury]

To investigate the reparative method and effect of radial nerve injury.

From 1990 to 2000, 50 cases with radial nerve injuries were adopted in this study. Among them, there were 38 males and 12 females, aged from 5 to 65 years. For the 50 cases, there were 28 cases with complete nerve rupture, 3 cases with incomplete nerve rupture, 10 cases with compressive injury, 5 cases with contusion injury and 4 cases with defect and irreversible injury. All the patients were treated with radial nerve exploration in 1 hour to 6 months after injury. 31 cases were treated with nerve anastomosis, 10 cases with nerve lytic operation, 4 cases with tendon transfer and 5 cases with palliative treatment.

All the cases were followed up 3 months to 10 years. The curative effect was assessed according to Highest grade method. There were excellent and good results in 46 cases, moderate results in 4 cases.

It is necessary to explore and repair the radial nerve injury immediately after the diagnosis being confirmed. If the function of radial nerve could not recover in 6 months, tendon transfer should be carried out to reconstruct the extension of elbow, thumb and fingers.