Purpose: Although nerve autografts have been considered the standard treatment for peripheral nerve defects, limited studies have reported long-term outcomes of nerve harvesting over 15 years after surgery. This study aimed to evaluate the long-term outcomes of donor site morbidity after sural nerve graft harvesting.
Methods: Thirteen patients for whom more than 15 years had passed after harvesting of the sural nerve for peripheral nerve defects were included. Mean follow-up was 29.5 years. Sensory disturbances and difficulty in performing foot movements immediately after surgery and currently were evaluated on a 10-point scale. Influences on daily living and work and current satisfaction with the autologous sural nerve graft were evaluated.
Results: Sensory disturbances and difficulty in movement tended to improve; however, the differences between time points were not significant. Influences on activities of daily living and work were mild, and the satisfaction level for autologous sural nerve graft was high.
Conclusions: Although donor site morbidity after sural nerve graft harvesting persisted for a long time after surgery, foot symptoms and functional impairment were mild.
Type of study/level of evidence: Therapeutic V.
Keywords: Donor site; Nerve graft; Sural nerve.
© 2020 The Authors.