A New Method to Harvest the Sural Nerve Graft

Abstract

Objective: In this study, we developed a novel technique to harvest the sural nerve using the mini incisions and the carpal tunnel dilators.

Materials and methods: The technique was applied to the 29 sides on 27 patients (24 men and 3 women). The mean age was 27.1 years (range 9-51). The diagnoses were soft tissue traumas in 23 cases, fracture in 2 cases, and previous complicated operation in 2 cases. The harmful effects of harvest procedure on the sural nerve graft were assessed double-blind histopathologically and compared with control group.

Results: All the nerve grafts were successfully harvested with no macroscopic damage to the sural nerve graft. There was no statistically significant difference between the histopathologic scores of the distal and proximal nerve segments (p>0.05). The average follow-up time was 17 months (range 8-46). In the postoperative period, no complication such as massive bleeding/hematoma, wound infection, skin necrosis, painful neuroma formation, or prolonged calf tenderness was observed. In all cases, there were inconspicuous scars.

Conclusion: The method seems safe and has no damage on the nerve graft histopathologically. We believe that this technique may be used in future.

Keywords: carpal tunnel dilatator; harvest; nerve; sural.