Sural nerve donor-site morbidity: thirty-four years of follow-up

This study presents a long-term evaluation of sural nerve donor-site morbidity in patients with at least 15 years' follow-up (mean 26 years) after sural nerve harvesting for peripheral nerve repair. Twenty-nine patients (mean age 30 years at time of surgery) participated in a retrospective analysis using a questionnaire. The subjective patient evaluations indicated a significant recovery of the sural nerve donor site with regard to sensory loss, pain, and cold sensitivity over time. Beyond 5 years, no further improvement is to be expected. Our findings provide a guideline for general patient information regarding sural nerve donor-site morbidity. An area of sensory loss of approximately the size of 5 x 6 cm is to be expected, and 20%-30% of the patients experienced minimal levels of pain, cold sensitivity, functional impairment, and scar discomfort. The latter 2 were confined to inconvenience with bumping of the donor site and putting on shoes.