title: Nerve harvesting procedures.
abstract: Autogenous nerve grafts currently set the standard for reconstruction of motor and sensory nerve injuries that cannot be repaired by mobilization, advancement, and approximation, and suturing without tension. Donor nerves such as the GAN and SN are easily accessible and frequently used in maxillofacial microneurosurgery. Other nerves (MACN, LCNF, LTN) may serve well in special nerve reconstruction situations. In the future, availability of biodegradable nerve conduits with neurotrophic factors may render obsolete the reconstruction of the short-span nerve gap (< 3 cm) by autogenous nerve grafts.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Northside Hospital, Atlanta, Georgia, USA. shmram@aol.com
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Meyer
mesh_terms: D020341:Absorbable Implants; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004431:Ear, External / Q000294:innervation; D005154:Facial Nerve / Q000601:surgery*; D020220:Facial Nerve Injuries / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008866:Microsurgery / Q000379:methods; D009138:Musculocutaneous Nerve / Q000637:transplantation; D010525:Peripheral Nerves / Q000637:transplantation*; D013497:Sural Nerve / Q000637:transplantation; D013900:Thoracic Nerves / Q000637:transplantation; D020858:Tissue and Organ Harvesting / Q000379:methods*; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous; D014276:Trigeminal Nerve / Q000601:surgery*; D061221:Trigeminal Nerve Injuries
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials