A clinical application of artery-including silicone tubing to peripheral nerve defect

Abstract

7 eases of 11 peripheral nerve defects (5 median nerves, 5 ulnar nerves, and 1 radial nerve) were repaired through artery-including silicone tubing. The nerves have gaps within 3 cm in 9, and 3 to 5 cm in 2. Repairing the defect’s location, 4 of them were below the axilla; 1 at the upper 1/3 part of the forearm and 6 at the lower part of the forearm. The duration of injuries was from 4 to 7 months, except one case lasting over a year. Six patients with 9 nerves involved had adequate follow-up of 6 to 9 months. One patient with 2 nerves was lost to follow-up. The results were excellent in 5 nerves (M₄S₃), good in 2 (M₃S₃), and poor in 2 (M₁S₁).

Keywords

silicone tubing / peripheral nerve / nerve defect

References

[1] 1990; 70:191.

[2] 1989; 12:107.

[3] MackinonSE., et al.. Nerve regenera-tion through a pseudosynovial sheath in a primate model. Plast Reconstr Surg, 1985, 75: 833-833

[4] CuadrosCL, GranatirCE. Nerve rege-neration through a synthetic micropo-rous tube (Expanded polytetrafluoethy-lene): Experimental Study in the scia-tic nerve of the rat. Microsurgery, 1987, 8: 11-11

[5] 1990; 13:25.

[6] 1991; 14:90.

[7] MasaakiKosaka. Enhancement of rat peripheral nerve regeneration through artery-Including silicone tubing. Exp Neurol, 1990, 107: 69-69