01884nas a2200361   4500000000100000008004100001260000900042653001500051653001000066653003000076653003000106653001100136653002200147653001100169653002300180653001200203653000900215653002700224653002200251653002600273653002200299100001900321700001300340700001600353700002700369700002100396700001600417245010700433300001100540490000700551520095000558022001401508       1995                            d  c199510aAdolescent10aChild10aCombined Modality Therapy10aDrug Therapy, Combination10aFemale10aFollow-Up Studies10aHumans10aLeprostatic Agents10aleprosy10aMale10aNeurologic Examination10aPeripheral nerves10aRetrospective Studies10aTreatment Outcome1 aRamarorazana S1 aRene J P1 aSchwartzl E1 aRandrianomenjanahary J1 aRazafindramboa H1 aDi Schino M00a[One-year follow-up of 466 nerve decompressions in 123 lepers during multidrug therapy in Madagascar].  a146-500 v553 a<p>Surgical decompression of nerves in patients with leprosy is a simple procedure that can be used in developing countries. At the leprosy center of Ambatoabo on the east coast of Madagascar, 466 nerve decompressions were performed on 123 subjects and results were evaluated by the same examiner 15 months later. All subjects were undergoing multidrug therapy at the time of the procedure. The decision to perform surgery was based on recent onset of sensory and motor neurologic signs and on progression or persistence of symptoms despite administration of prednisolone. Decompression led to pain relief in 100% of cases and regression of sensory disturbances in 97%. Sensory recovery in the plantar ulcers of the foot was obtained in 80% of cases and motor performance improved in 61%. These favorable results confirm the value of surgical decompression to prevent sequels of leprosy and the feasibility of this procedure in remote areas.</p>  a0025-682X