OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy of axonal repair technique for treatment of peripheral nerve injury clinically.

METHODSIn 1998, the authors applied axonal repair technique to treat peripheral nerve injuries in 12 patients with 13 nerves. It consists of four steps, ie, stumps of the nerve being soaked in a modified Collins fluid, freezed, trimmed, and coapted with glue, making the injured nerve repaired at the axonal level.

RESULTSThe patients were followed up for an average of 13 months. Results showed that in 4 cases of first-stage contralateral C7 transfer, regenerating axons reached to the sternoclavicular joint or axilla at 4 to 7 months, offering the timing for performing the second-stage contralateral C7 transfer. In 5 cases of accessory nerve transferred to the suprascapular nerve, the abduction of the shoulder was 40 degree on average. In the other 3 patients with four different nerves repaired, results were also satisfactory.

CONCLUSIONSThis technique is promising in the treatment of peripheral nerve injury.