Epiperineurium-fascial stitches along the stumps of a transected nerve. An additional method for closing the gap in the nerve trunk.

Following peripheral nerve repair, tension on the suture line is regarded as an important factor in producing scar tissue. In some cases, one or more microsurgical epiperineurium-fascial stitches (EPFS) along the proximal and distal stumps of a transected nerve permit their firm approximation, shifting tensile forces from the suture line over longer segments of the nerve stumps. This simple method was used to treat three ulnar and two cranial nerve lesions with gaps ranging from 8 to 20 mm with an end-to-end suture, avoiding any tension on the suture line. In all cases, functional recovery was satisfactory.