A Case of Lateral Antebrachial Cutaneous Nerve Injury Treated with Nerve Wrapping Using a Slit-Type Collagen Nerve Conduit

Abstract

　We report a case of partial injury of the lateral antebrachial cutaneous nerve treated with neurolysis and nerve wrapping using a slit-type collagen conduit. A 78-year-old male experienced pain in his right antecubital fossa after blood sampling. He presented with persistent pain and hypesthesia of the lateral forearm. Neurolysis and nerve wrapping were performed six months after the injury. Intraoperatively, the lateral antebrachial cutaneous nerve was adherent to the surrounding tissue, and its fascicle was injured. The nerve was released and wrapped with a slit-type collagen conduit. The patient returned to work six weeks after surgery. Fourteen months postoperatively, grip strength increased from 27 kg to 35 kg, and the Hand20 score improved from 54 to 1.5. Neurolysis and nerve wrapping using a slit-type collagen conduit is a relatively simple technique that is easy to use for partial nerve injury and can reduce adhesion to surrounding tissues and scar formation.