Clinical Outcome After Surgical Treatment of Traumatic Peroneal Nerve Injury: An Analysis of Risk Factors After Different Surgical Approaches.

BACKGROUND

This study aims to analyze potential risk factors that may influence the clinical outcomes following surgical treatment of traumatic peroneal nerve lesions.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective analysis of patients with traumatic peroneal nerve injuries treated with decompression, split repair, or nerve grafting between 2010 and 2020. Motor function and potential risk factors were evaluated.

RESULTS

Out of 93 patients, 42 (45%) underwent decompression, 15 (16%) received split repair, and 36 (39%) required autologous nerve grafting. Up to one year after surgery, weakness of the anterior tibial muscle improved from a median of M0 to M3. After one year following nerve decompression, functional recovery was observed in 28 (65%) cases, in 9 (21%) cases after split repair, and in 7 (16%) cases following autologous nerve grafting. A defect greater than 8 cm was associated with significantly poorer improvement of extensor hallucis longus (p = 0.037, HR 0.109). We found no significant associations between age, diabetes mellitus, arterial hypertension, obesity, and postoperative outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

According to the present data, a significant number of patients achieved functional improvement following surgical treatment, indicating that this procedure should be considered an important treatment option in selected cases.