Fascial Tubulization in the Repair of Nerve Defects

It is difficult to determine the value of the different methods which have been employed to promote reconstruction of defects in nerves caused by accident, or to restore their continuity after resection because of painful scars, malignant growth, etc. The clinical reports are often meager and in many instances the patients have not been traced long enough to permit of any definite conclusions concerning the ultimate result. The results frequently admit of more than one interpretation. In many of the cases reported sensation and motion have not been carefully tested and often, in estimating final results, account has not been taken of the fact that sensation, and even motion, may be present, at least to some extent, in the area supplied by the nerve which has been divided or resected. Vanlair1(1882) first suggested that defects in nerves might be repaired, if a pathway were provided, along which the