A Clinical Study of Nerve Graft

Kim, Kwang Hoe; Lee, Kwang Suk; Chung, Hyun Kee; Kim, Young Joon

Abstract

Despite early knowledge that autogenous nerve grafting can be a useful method to overcome large gaps in peripheral nerves, the procedure was generally resorted to only after all other means to obtained end-to-end suturing had failed. Advances in microsurgery techniques prompted Millesi to introduce the concept of interfascicular neve grafting whereby groups of fascicles, and not whole nerve, are connected together. The 17 cases of nerve graft were operated for 3 years from Nevember, 1982 to September, 1985 in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery of Hanyang University Hospital have followed for clinical up study. The results were as follows: 1. Nerve graft was useful rnethod to repair nerves with gaps. 2. The sural nerve is the first choice as a donor nerve. 3. Severity of soft tissue injuries was important factor influencing results. 4. Postoperative results of cases caused by electrical burns were worse than others.