Thirteen studies (12 case series and one case report) were identified and included in the review. There were 5 studies (n=260) of autogenous nerve grafts to repair upper extremity nerves, 3 studies (n=28) of autogenous nerve grafts to repair trigeminal nerves (n=28), 5 studies (n=47) of autogenous vein grafts, and 3 studies (n=21) of alloplastic conduits.
1. Autogenous nerve grafts.
Grafting in the upper extremity (5 studies, all case series): 85 to 94% of the patients were documented to have return of normal sensation (MRC greater or equal to S3) after autogenous grafting.
Grafting to repair IAN or lingual nerves (3 studies, all case series): 33 to 75% of patients were documented to have functional return of sensation after autogenous grafting.
2. Tubulisation (autogenous grafts) (5 studies, all case series).
Of all the nerves grafted, 61 to 90% were documented as having functional return of sensation.
3. Tubulisation (alloplastic conduits) (3 studies, 2 of which were case reports and one was a case series).
Eighty-six per cent of digital nerve patients had functional return of sensation, compared with 0 to 40% of the IAN or lingual nerve patients.