Vein Grafts Used as Nerve Conduits for Obstetrical Brachial Plexus Palsy Reconstruction

Background: Limited availability of donor nerve grafts along with donor-site morbidity has stimulated research toward other alternatives for the repair of severe nerve injuries. The authors provide a comprehensive review of “tubulization” biology and share with the readers their experience with two cases of obstetrical brachial plexus paralysis where they used vein grafts with “minced” nerve tissue, to accomplish connectivity of proximal donors with distal targets. Usage of vascular tissue as conduits for nerve regeneration was first reported more than 100 years ago. It has been suggested that the vein's wall allows diffusion of the proper nutrients for nerve regeneration, acts as a barrier against ingrowth of scar, and prevents wastage of regenerating axons. Methods: In this report, vein grafts of 2.4, 3.5, and 22 cm in length filled with minced peripheral nerve tissue were used as bridges in two cases of obstetrical brachial plexus paralysis. Results: By filling the vein lumen with small pieces of nerve tissue suspended in a heparinized saline solution, a potential problem associated with vein collapse caused by compression was solved. Conclusion: The authors suggest that tubulization techniques should be kept in mind in clinical practice when autologous nerve grafts are insufficient for distal target connectivity or as an alternative to conventional nerve grafts for bridging certain nerve defects.