This study is based on an analysis of the results of 69 peripheral nerve injuries in the upper and lower extremities treated conservatively or operatively. The assessment of recovery was made according to the British (Highet) method.
The following results were obtained.
1) The type of injury was classified into three types-non-degeneration type, partial degeneration type and complete degeneration type—according to the results of motor and sensory functional examinations, nerve conduction test and electromyography.
2) In the cases with complete degeneration type regardless of the cause of nerve injuries and with partial degeneration type due to open wounds, we shall explorate the lesion of injured nerves surgically to decide the indications for neurolysis or nerve repair.
3) In some patients, with peripheral nerve lesions in continuity and moreover complete degeneration type, no-recovery was obtained.
4) The following peripheral nerve lesions in continuity, that is, the nerve action potentials could not be evoked through the peripheral segment of injured nerve, and furthermore the contrast media in neurography could not be flowed through the lesion, should be performed the nerve repair.