[Nerve transplants in the reconstruction of damaged nerve trunks]

The authors present the first in the Polish literature group of 320 cases of autogenic nerve cable grafts. The overall results of this treatment are: very good and good in 43.3%, satisfactory in 29.1%, poor in 18.2%, bad in 9.4%. Nearly all bad results were obtained in grafting nerves in the lower extremity. A comparison of the results obtained with the classic nerve suture and short cable grafts shows a decidedly evident superiority of grafts over the classic suture. The advantages of grafts are discussed, particularly with respect to nerve blood supply. The importance of early surgical treatment and prolonged heat treatment is stressed.