Article

Objective To supplement the scant information available regarding the
satisfaction of patients with tetraplegia following upper extremity
reconstructive surgery for such individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI). Study
design Retrospective study with questionnaire follow-up. Setting The Danish
Spinal Cord Injury Centers. Material and methods In the initial review period,
119 upper extremity surgeries were performed on patients with tetraplegia (n =
49). Seven died and the remaining 42 were invited to complete a follow-up
questionnaire with a five-level scale ranging from strongly agree to strongly
disagree regarding satisfaction. Forty patients completed the questionnaire.
Results Median time from first surgery was 13 years (2-36). Sixty-five percent of
the sample had a C5-C6 SCI, with 64% experiencing complete injury. Initially, 76%
of the sample expressed general satisfaction with life, but only 28% of the
sample reported that hand appearance improved after surgery. Interestingly, those
having surgery from 1991 to 2008 reported significantly greater satisfaction (P <
0.001) and were significantly more satisfied with activities of daily living
(ADL) (P < 0.001) than those having surgery between the years 1973 and 1990. In
particular, gain of independence was obtained with pinch/specific hand surgery
compared to triceps activation. Accordingly, the pinch/specific hand surgery
group was significantly more satisfied than the triceps group on the ADL (P =
0.027), and the independence questions (P < 0.001). Conclusion Overall
satisfaction with upper extremity surgery is high. It can have a positive impact
on life in general, ability to perform ADL, as well as supplying an increased
level of independence.

Langue : ANGLAIS