Abstract
Nerve conduits are becoming increasingly popular for the repair of peripheral nerve
injuries. Their ease of application and lack of donor site morbidity make them an
attractive option for nerve repair in many situations. Today, there are many different
conduits to choose in different sizes and materials, giving the reconstructive surgeon
many options for any given clinical problem. However, to properly utilize these unique
reconstructive tools, the peripheral nerve surgeon must be familiar not only with
their standard indications but also with their functional limitations. In this review,
the authors identify the common applications of nerve conduits, expected results,
and shortcomings of current techniques. Furthermore, future directions for nerve conduit
use are identified.
Keywords
nerve injury - nerve conduit - nerve palsy - nerve gap