End-to-side nerve repair in peripheral nerve injury.

In peripheral nerve injury, end-to-side neurorrhaphy has been reported as an alternative in cases that the proximal nerve stump is not accessible. Several hypotheses have been proposed to explain peripheral nerve regeneration after end-to-side neurorrhaphy. Recent evidence suggests that nerve regeneration occurs by collateral sprouting. Although a great number of humoral factors have been identified, molecular mechanism of nerve regeneration after end-to-side neurorrhaphy has not been completely clarified yet. The goal of this technique is to provide satisfactory functional recovery for the recipient nerve, without any deterioration of the donor nerve function. End-to-side technique has been investigated in detail in both experimental and clinical studies. Only a limited number of reported cases in clinical practice, until today, can reveal that end-to-side technique may become a viable means of repairing peripheral nerves in certain clinical situations.