[Applied methods instead of autologous nerve transplantation in the reconstruction of nerve injuries on the hand]

For a long time in the clinical practice the autologous nerve transplants are used in reconstruction of the segmental defects of injured hand nerves. The published outcomes, especially in case of the motor and mixed (sensory and motor) nerves, however, were not satisfactory. Hence, it remained a problem and in the focus of research. The author aimed to study this topic and drawing conclusions in his literary review publication. According to the recent results, the replacement of the autologous nerve transplants with other materials (e.g. nerve conduits, various allografts, etc.) has shown good outcomes in mixed nerves too, if the distance of the resected nerve ends do not exceed 6 mm and the diameter of the nerves were not more than 3-7 mm. The applications of these methods have shown poor results, if the defect and/or the nerve diameter were larger. So, in these cases the autologous nerve transplantation remains the optimal management in the future. Orv Hetil. 2017; 158(30): 1163-1167.