Direct muscle neurotization.

The results of experimental research, as well as of a large clinical series (n = 51) of direct muscle neurotization, have been encouraging enough to warrant extending the indications for the procedure to patients in whom traditional repair by direct nerve suture or nerve graft is impossible, because of the lack of a distal nerve segment, or because of destruction of the neural portion of one or more muscle groups. Prerequisites include a satisfactory volume of muscle with sufficient vascularity and adequate postoperative joint and muscle immobilization.