[Repair of nerve defects with autotransplants]

Over 15 years (1985-1999) 60 plastic reconstructions of nerve defects with autograft were performed after peripheral nerves injuries of the upper limbs (42 patients), lower limbs (14) and face (4). It is demonstrated that efficacy of surgery depends on period from injury to surgery, age of patient, length of autograft, nature and location of injury, kind of injured nerve. Better results were achieved after operations on peripheral nerves of the upper limbs. After operations on lower limbs more favorable results were achieved in repair of tibial nerve defects. Plastic surgery of facial nerve defects gave satisfactory results. Time from injury to surgery is the main factor essential for surgery result.