Experience with homologous lyophilised nerve grafts in the treatment of peripheral nerve injuries.

Report of a series of 18 late secondary nerve grafts using lyophilised (disantigenised and disenzymatised) homografts of the Braun Melsungen Company. In contrast to the publication of Kuhlendahl et al. (1972) 32% of the cases showed definitive signs of regeneration. Therefore, in spite of the fact that autografts give better results, further research into the possibilities of homografts seems desirable. Their potential usefulness obviously is restricted to cases in which from any reasons autologous nerve grafts are not available.