Results of peripheral nerve reconstruction by autograft

This paper presents the results achieved in microtechnique surgeries performed during a 15-year-long period (1985-1999). By performing surgeries on 60 patients, 63 nerves were treated. In 42 patients with injuries of peripheral nerves of upper extremities, 45 nerves were reconstructed by autografts. 14 patients were subjected to reconstructive surgeries on peripheral nerves of lower extremities. In 4 patients we reconstructed the facial nerve by means of autograft. The analysis of surgical effects has been made in dependence on indicators as follows: period elapsed from injury to surgery, age of patient, nature of injury, length of autograft, location of injury, kind of nerve inflicted. When assessing the results of reconstructive surgeries of peripheral nerves of lower and upper extremities we observed a big difference on the behalf of upper extremities. High efficiency can be seen in tibial nerve surgeries of lower extremities. In general we achieved good results in facial nerve reconstructions. The crucial factor that has an impact on the result of surgery is that of the time which elapsed from injury to reconstructive surgery. The factor is especially marked in younger patients. (Tab. 7, Ref. 15.).