Results of cable graft technique in repair of large nerve trunk lesions

Cable grafting was reintroduced in the beginning of the 1980's as a modified method for repair of large polyfascicular nerves without group arrangement such as trunks and cords of the brachial plexus, sciatic nerve and its divisions, or the other main nerve trunks. We used this method in 25 patients with brachial plexus injury and 29 patients with injuries to the sciatic nerve. Results were analyzed according to the individual nerve elements and were available for 32 elements of the brachial plexus and for 19 tibial and 19 peroneal divisions of the sciatic nerve. We defined useful functional recovery according to the priorities in repair of the brachial plexus and sciatic nerve with lower limits M3 for relevant muscles and functions and S2 for sensory function. Results were especially favourable for the brachial plexus with a total rate of recovery 84% and for tibial division with the same total rate of recovery. On the basis of the results obtained we were able to conclude that the results of the modified cable grafting were at least similar to those of interfascicular nerve grafting and that this method could be useful for repair of large polyfascicular nerve trunks. However, the main advantage of this technique is a considerable gain in operative time.