Long-Term Follow-Up Study of Peripheral Nerve Repair by Non-Nerve Tissues

Abstract

This paper reported a long-term follow-up of seven cases (eight nerves) with peripheral nerve repair by non-nerve tissues. The injured nerves involved three median, two radial, one ulnar and one tibial nerves. These patients were treated 3 to 10 months after injuries. In five cases, pedicled muscles grafts were used to repair nerve gaps from 3 to 6 cm. Follow-up between 4 years and 10 months and 6 years and 8 months showed functional recovery ranged from MOS1 to M2 + S3. Two cases of nerve gaps 3 and 4 cm in length repaired by empty muscle membrane tubes recovered to M3S4 and M4S4. Liu concluded that pedicled muscle graft is not an ideal substitute for nerve graft. They peculated that inner structures in the muscle graft prevented growth of regenerating axons, which made the graft not function as effectively as an empty tube. One should be cautious in using non-nerve tissues to repair peripheral nerve gaps.