Distal digital nerve grafts: clinical and anatomical studies.

An anatomical study of the terminal branches of the digital nerves of thumb and finger indicated a constant trifurcation at the level of the distal interphalangeal joint. Twelve microscopic interfascicular nerve grafts were done in 11 patients who had nerve division at this level with insensitive fingertips. All patients exhibited improved sensibility. Eight of 12 or 67% achieved 6 mm of two-point discrimination. Although there were no children in this study, the subjects under 30 years of age enjoyed better final results.