Primary Repair of Upper Extremity Peripheral Nerve Injuries: An NSQIP Analysis From 2010 to 2016

To identify the rate of 30-day complications after primary repair of upper extremity peripheral nerve injuries, associated diagnoses, and postoperative complication rate.

The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database was reviewed from 2010 to 2016. Current Procedural Terminology codes consistent with primary nerve repair of the upper extremity were identified and included in the analysis. Patient demographics, comorbidities, type of procedure (elective/emergent), wound class, operative time, and 30-day complications were recorded. Patients with isolated upper extremity nerve injuries (isolated) were compared with those with peripheral nerve injuries in addition to bone, tendon, or soft tissue injuries (multiple).

In all, 785 patients were identified as having upper extremity nerve repairs (0.16%). Of them, 64% were men and 36% were women; the average patient age was 40 years. The most common indication for surgery was injury to the digits (54% of cases). Thirty-day adverse events occurred in 3% of all cases. Isolated nerve injury occurred in 43% of patients, whereas 57% had additional injuries. The multiple injury group had a significantly higher complication rate compared with the isolated group (1% vs 4.5%) (P = .007). Repair of tendon at forearm or wrist was the most common concurrent procedure performed.

Thirty-day complications among upper extremity peripheral nerve injuries are low, accounting for 3% of cases. Return to the operating room accounted for nearly half of all complications. Patients in the multiple injury group accounted for more than half of these and had a significantly higher complication rate compared with patients with isolated nerve injuries.