Application of end-to-side coaptation in repairing long peripheral nerve defect

Objective: To evaluate the possibility and efficacy of repairing long peripheral nerve defect with end-to-side coaptation.Method:The nerve grafts were used to suture the distal side of damaged nerve with end-to-side anastomosis at the angle of 45° after membrane fenestration in ten patients and sural nerves were used to connect the distal side of damage nerve and nerve grafts in three patients with too long nerve defect.Result:Seven patients were good with M4S3~+,three patients were well with M3S4,two patients were Ok with M2S2 and only one patient was bad with MlSl and the good-rehabilitation rate was 76.9% with postoperative follow-up of 13～36 months.Conclusion:End-to-side nerve coaptation can repair long peripheral nerve defect through regeneration of lateral branch and is a good way to resolve the repairation of long peripheral nerve defect.