Free Vascularized Deep Peroneal Nerve Grafts

ABSTRACT

An ideal donor site for vascularized nerve grafts should have a constant anatomy, minimal functional loss after the nerve has been sacrificed, and a dependable blood supply parallel to the nerve over a relatively long distance. Creating a pedicle for a free vascularized deep peroneal nerve graft with the anterior tibial vessels seems to be a most suitable method for repairing long nerve gaps of over 20 cm and digital nerve defects with severe finger damage. Applications of this nerve graft to digital nerve losses with severely scarred beds created by avulsion injury, and two-stage reconstruction in some partial brachial plexus palsies (free vascularized nerve graft in the first stage and free vascularized muscle graft in the second stage) are well indicated.

Advantages of this technique are: (1) A long nerve graft (up to 25 cm) can be obtained, and anomalies are rare (the nerve is absent in only 4 percent of cases). (2) The caliber of the vascular pedicle is large (≌3 mm). (3) The nerve has a sufficient blood supply from the collateral blood vessels. (4) The graft can be easily obtained in the supine position. (5) A monitoring skin flap, based on the inferior lateral peroneal artery, can be attached to the nerve graft. (6) Sensory loss resulting from the sacrifice of the nerve covers a minimal area. (7) A donor scar on the anterior aspect of the lower leg is more acceptable than one on the posterior aspect because of less movement in walking. Disadvantages of this technique are: (1) Sacrifice of the large vessels in the lower leg may result in circulatory complications in the donor foot; to avoid this problem, preoperative angiography is recommended. (2) The donor scar is in an exposed area in female patients. (3) There may be temporary postoperative edema and disability in the donor leg.