Nerves transplantation, reconstructive surgery of nerve plexuses

Nerves transplantation, reconstructive surgery of nerve plexuses
About the direction
Doctors
  • Innovative technologies for nerve and plexus reconstruction
  • High success rate of interventions
  • Coordinated work of a multidisciplinary team
About the direction

Nerve transplantation, or autotransplantation of peripheral nerves, is a modern method of nerve reconstruction that requires not only the operating surgeon's skill but also the application of innovative technologies. These include, for example, the use of multipotent stromal cells from adipose tissue (MSCs), plasma growth factors, and others.

The essence of a nerve transplantation surgery is to isolate fibers of a healthy nerve and transplant them into the required area without causing functional impairment in the donor site.

At the "Oberig" clinic, nerve autotransplantation surgeries are performed by Andriy Petakh —a plastic surgeon with 25 years of experience and a Candidate of Medical Sciences. He leads the multidisciplinary team of specialists who are capable of achieving positive results in treating peripheral nerve injuries.

When is nerve autotransplantation surgery indicated?

Nerve damage with the loss of motor functions (limb movement, facial expressions) resulting from household injuries, car accidents, and mine-blast or other types of combat-related trauma.

Pre-operative examination for nerve autotransplantation

Clinical and instrumental diagnostics include a physical examination of the patient with a list of general laboratory tests, as well as instrumental examinations (vascular Doppler, angiography, ultrasound), among which nerve ultrasound is of particular importance. Together with a neurologist, an ultrasound specialist, and a vascular surgeon, the plastic surgeon assesses the condition of the damaged nerve, the surrounding tissues, and determines the feasibility of a reconstructive neurosurgical intervention.

Preparation for nerve transplantation surgery

During the preparation for nerve transplantation surgery, the patient must undergo a rehabilitation program aimed at restoring passive movements in the limbs. Only if passive movements in the limb are restored does the nerve autotransplantation surgery have a prognostically higher chance of success. This is because the muscle to which the nerve is to be connected must remain "alive" and functionally viable (i.e., capable of contracting and relaxing). Neurologists and rehabilitation medicine specialists are involved in this stage of preparation.

Results of nerve autotransplantation surgery and recovery timelines

One should not expect immediate results after nerve transplantation surgery—nerve tissue regenerates at a certain rate: on average, a nerve regrows by 1 mm per day, or 3 cm per month. By using a ruler to measure the distance the nerve must regrow, we can estimate the approximate timeline for the limb's function to recover. However, even in the first few days after nerve transplantation surgery, the appearance of some symptoms (e.g., a tingling sensation in and below the surgical area) indicates that nerve regeneration has begun.

Doctors
Repina Nataliia Repina Nataliia
  • Doctor of ultrasonic diagnostics
  • 33 years of medical experience
  • Honored Doctor of Ukraine
Petah Andriy Laslovych Petah Andriy Laslovych
  • Plastic surgeon
  • 24 years of medical experience
  • Candidate of Medical Sciences
Havryliv Iryna Havryliv Iryna
  • Neurologist of the Stroke Center
  • 24 years of medical experience
  • PhD in Medical Sciences
  • Innovative technologies for nerve and plexus reconstruction
  • High success rate of interventions
  • Coordinated work of a multidisciplinary team
Nerves transplantation, reconstructive surgery of nerve plexuses Why Oberig?

At the "Oberig" clinic, we have accumulated significant successful experience in performing surgeries on peripheral nerves. However, almost every second intervention is a challenge, as the nature and mechanism of the injuries patients receive today are unique and complex. According to the clinic's operating plastic surgeon, Andriy Petakh, "hopeless situations exist, but not for us — we use even the smallest chance to help a patient regain lost limb functions in cases of peripheral nerve damage."

Additionally, an integral and exclusive advantage of nerve transplantation surgeries at the "Oberig" clinic is the use of innovative technologies involving MSCs and plasma growth factors, which significantly improves the quality of the results obtained.

Testimonials from our patients