[Surgical restoration of sensitivity in childhood (author's transl)].

Abstract

Depending on the injury, there can be direct damage to the nerve or to the overlying skin at points essential to the tactile sense. The restoration of nerves is subject to the same criteria as in adults, although the time factor is not quite so important. In complicated injuries with nerve lesions, a two-stage procedure should be preferred to the primary treatment, since that provides more favourable conditions for restoration of the nerves. Several operative procedures are given for the case where there is a skin defect or scarring at a point necessary for sensitivity. The cross-over finger flap with attached nerves, and full-skin transplant joining the nerves, are described in detail.