Ultrasound diagnosis of postoperative complications of nerve repair

BACKGROUND: Peripheral nerve injuries often undergo surgical repair, but poor postoperative functional recovery is frequently observed. CASE DESCRIPTION: We describe four cases of traumatic nerve lesions in whom postoperative recovery was prevented by complications such as detachment of nerve sutures or neuroma growth. To the best of our knowledge no similar cases have been reported in literature so far. It is important an early diagnosis of such condition because it prevents recovery and delays re-intervention, which should be performed before complete muscle denervation and atrophy. CONCLUSION: Nerve ultrasound is a valuable tool in traumatic nerve injury and has proven to be useful in postoperative follow-up, especially in diagnosing surgical complications such as detachment of nerve direct sutures.