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Surgical repair of a 30 mm long human median nerve defect in the distal forearm by implantation of a chitosan–PGA nerve guidance conduit
Author(s) -
Gu Jianhui,
Hu Wen,
Deng Aidong,
Zhao Qing,
Lu Shibi,
Gu Xiaosong
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
journal of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.835
H-Index - 72
eISSN - 1932-7005
pISSN - 1932-6254
DOI - 10.1002/term.407
Subject(s) - thumb , medicine , nerve guidance conduit , epineurial repair , forearm , surgery , index finger , median nerve , anatomy , sciatic nerve
This paper describes a clinical case study in which a chitosan/polyglycolic acid nerve guidance conduit (chitosan–PGA NGC) was utilized to repair a 30 mm long median nerve defect in the right distal forearm of a 55 year‐old male patient. Thirty‐six months after the nerve repair, the palm abduction of the thumb and the thumb–index digital opposition recovered, facilitating the patient to accomplish fine activities, such as handling chopsticks. Static two‐point discrimination measured 14, 9 and 9 mm in the thumb, index and middle fingers of the right hand. Reproducible compound muscle action potentials were recorded on the right abductor pollicis. The ninhydrin test, a classical method for assessing sympathetic nerve function, showed partial recovery of the perspiration function of the injured thumb, index and middle fingers. This repair case suggested a possible strategy for the clinical reconstruction of extended defects in human peripheral nerve trunks by the implantation of chitosan–PGA NGCs. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.