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Published in: World Journal of Surgery 10/2020

Open Access 01-10-2020 | Nerve Injury | Original Scientific Report

A New Synthetic Conduit for the Treatment of Peripheral Nerve Injuries

Authors: Selman Uranues, Georg Bretthauer, Gordana Tomasch, Dietmar Rafolt, Doris Nagele-Moser, Andrea Berghold, Reinhold Kleinert, Ivo Justich, Jörg Waldert, Horst Koch

Published in: World Journal of Surgery | Issue 10/2020

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Abstract

Background

Peripheral nerve defects (PND) often cause lifelong physical disability, and the available treatment options are often not satisfactory. PND are usually bridged with an autologous nerve transplant or a nerve guidance conduit (NGC), when coaptation as preferred technique is not possible. The aim of this experimental study was to determine the effectiveness of a novel NGC for regeneration in the treatment of PND.

Materials and methods

A conduit made of gelatin with an innovative interior structure was tested for the repair of a 6-mm gap versus direct microsurgical suture repair without gap.

Results

We found that bridging the defect with this conduit was as effective as direct microsurgical coaptation without a defect.

Conclusions

This nerve conduit, effective in bridging neural defects, appears as an alternative to autologous nerve grafts, avoiding the problems related to nerve graft harvesting, host–donor differences in diameter, mismatches in number and pattern of fascicles, cross-sectional shape and area, and morbidity of the donor area.
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Metadata
Title
A New Synthetic Conduit for the Treatment of Peripheral Nerve Injuries
Authors
Selman Uranues
Georg Bretthauer
Gordana Tomasch
Dietmar Rafolt
Doris Nagele-Moser
Andrea Berghold
Reinhold Kleinert
Ivo Justich
Jörg Waldert
Horst Koch
Publication date
01-10-2020
Publisher
Springer International Publishing
Keyword
Nerve Injury
Published in
World Journal of Surgery / Issue 10/2020
Print ISSN: 0364-2313
Electronic ISSN: 1432-2323
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00268-020-05620-0

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