Autograft Substitutes: Conduits and Processed Nerve Allografts

Hand Clin. 2016 May;32(2):127-40. doi: 10.1016/j.hcl.2015.12.012.

Abstract

Manufactured conduits and allografts are viable alternatives to direct suture repair and nerve autograft. Manufactured tubes should have gaps less than 10 mm, and ideally should be considered as an aid to the coaptation. Processed nerve allograft has utility as a substitute for either conduit or autograft in sensory nerve repairs. There is also a growing body of evidence supporting their utility in major peripheral nerve repairs, gap repairs up to 70 mm in length, as an alternative source of tissue to bolster the diameter of a cable graft, and for the management of neuromas in non-reconstructable injuries.

Keywords: Allograft; Autograft alternative; Autograft substitute; Conduit; Peripheral nerve injury; Peripheral nerve repair.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Allografts*
  • Autografts
  • Biocompatible Materials
  • Guided Tissue Regeneration
  • Humans
  • Nerve Regeneration*
  • Neurosurgical Procedures
  • Peripheral Nerve Injuries / physiopathology
  • Peripheral Nerve Injuries / surgery*
  • Peripheral Nerves / surgery
  • Peripheral Nerves / transplantation*
  • Tissue Scaffolds*
  • Tissue and Organ Harvesting
  • Transplantation, Autologous

Substances

  • Biocompatible Materials