A New Method to Harvest the Sural Nerve Graft

Area of Science:

• Neurosurgery
• Peripheral Nerve Surgery
• Surgical Technique Innovation

Background:

• Sural nerve grafts are crucial for peripheral nerve reconstruction.
• Traditional harvesting methods can lead to complications and nerve damage.
• Minimally invasive techniques are sought to improve outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce and evaluate a novel technique for sural nerve harvesting.
• To assess the safety and efficacy of using mini incisions and carpal tunnel dilators for nerve harvest.
• To determine the histopathological impact on the sural nerve graft.

Main Methods:

• The novel technique was applied to 29 sural nerve harvests in 27 patients.
• Patients presented with soft tissue trauma, fractures, or post-operative complications.
• Histopathological assessment of nerve graft segments was performed double-blind and compared to a control group.

Main Results:

• All sural nerve grafts were harvested successfully without macroscopic damage.
• No statistically significant difference in histopathological scores between proximal and distal nerve segments was found.
• Postoperative outcomes were favorable, with no major complications and inconspicuous scarring.

Conclusions:

• The developed technique for sural nerve harvesting is safe and histopathologically sound.
• This minimally invasive approach minimizes damage to the nerve graft.
• The technique holds promise for future clinical application in nerve reconstruction.