Acute nerve grafting in traumatic injuries: two case studies.

Abstract

Primary nerve grafting in traumatic injuries is rarely performed because of the uncertainty of the extent of injury, the limited availability of nerve grafts, and the damage to adjacent soft tissue. In this report the authors present two cases of acute nerve grafting after trauma-the first of the common peroneal nerve and the second of the ulnar nerve above the elbow-with sensory and motor recovery. Although compelling general arguments against primary posttraumatic nerve grafting exist, these cases illustrate that, in certain favorable and critical clinical situations, acute nerve grafting may be successful.