[Transplantation of the peripheral nerves]

The development of microsurgery made possible neurorrhapy of even very tiny peripheral nerves. In case of a transsection of a nerve without a defect or with a minor one up to 15 mm, approximation of stumps can be done directly. Larger defects are bridged with autogenous nerve grafts. In order to avoid this, novel technics like cadaveric allogenous grafts or using veins and small tubes of absorbable materials as a guiding rail have been introduced. For purpose of this degenerated muscle grafts are being also applied.