Treatment of chronic pain by "wrapping" intact nerves with pedicle and free flaps.

Abstract

Chronic pain due to scarred or devascularized but intact peripheral nerves may be potentially improved by neurolysis of the nerve, followed by the circumferential "wrapping" of the nerve with either the fascia, subcutaneous fat tissue, or muscle of either a pedicled or free flap. This procedure may cushion the nerve from external pressure on the overlying skin, insulate the nerve from traction forces of adjacent tendons, allow longitudinal gliding of the nerve, and potentially promote revascularization of the scarred nerve.