United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

OK, all you experts out there...

I was asked today what the difference was between a nerve transfer & a nerve graph. When I attempted to answer, I realized that I had made a lot of assumptions without true knowledge. I assume you readers have had some of each in your surgeries.

So, what's the difference?

Thanks!

Ellen

Well... I just learned the following, so if others have the same question as me, perhaps it will be helpful. At least the rest of you will know how to spell "graft" correctly!

Ellen

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A nerve graft is performed when there is an injured segment of nerve that can be cut out, and an intervening segment of nerve (like from the sural nerve) be placed in place of the damaged nerve. In this case the nerve segment closest to the spinal cord is still functioning (i.e.. Postganglionic)

A nerve transfer (also known as a neurotization) is performed when there is an injured nerve whose injury is preganglionic (i.e.. Ripped out of the spinal cord, whose nerve segment closest to the spinal cord does not function) or when the time to reinnervation of the muscle takes too long to occur. In a nerve transfer, a functioning nerve to a less important muscle is sacrificed and transferred to the more important injured nerve (i.e.. Taking the intercostal nerves and moving them to the biceps motor branch).

Now to confuse things more, you can have a nerve transfer that is too short, and thus need a nerve graft to make it connect to the target muscle. This is less than ideal, since the nerve now has to grow thru two junctions instead of one.

Thanx Ellen,

I had a nerve graft done in November of 03. My surgeon said it would take 12 to 18 months before it would heal completely.

Sure hope it works...

Thanx Ellen,

I had a nerve graft done in November of 03. My surgeon said it would take 12 to 18 months before it would heal completely.

Sure hope it works...