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J Reconstr Microsurg 2013; 29(03): 149-164
DOI: 10.1055/s-0032-1333316
Review Article
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Nerve Repair by Means of Tubulization: Past, Present, Future

P. Konofaos
1   Department of Plastic Surgery, University of Tennessee, Germantown, Tennessee, USA
,
J. P. Ver Halen
1   Department of Plastic Surgery, University of Tennessee, Germantown, Tennessee, USA
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

07 June 2012

05 October 2012

Publication Date:
09 January 2013 (online)

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Abstract

Peripheral nerve injury may result in injury without gaps or injury with gaps between nerve stumps. In the presence of a nerve defect, the placement of an autologous nerve graft is the current gold standard for nerve restoration. The clinical employment of tubes as an alternative to autogenous nerve grafts is mainly justified by the limited availability of donor tissue for nerve autografts and their related morbidity. The purpose of this review is to present an overview of the literature on the applications of nerve conduits in peripheral nerve repair. Moreover, the different steps that are involved in the design of an ideal nerve conduit for peripheral nerve repair, including the choice of biomaterial, fabrication technique, and the various potential modifications to the common hollow nerve tube, are also discussed.

Keywords

nerve gap - nerve repair - nerve guides - neurotrophic factors
 

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