Modern Methods of Surgical Treatment of Peripheral Nervous System Injuries

Abstract

In Ukraine, 2,500–3,000 people sustain peripheral nerve injuries every year. Often these are young people of working age. In the structure of total injuries, peripheral nerve damage in peacetime makes 1.5–6%, and during military operations (taking into account the situation in the east of Ukraine), this value ranges from 9 to 25% due to gunshot injuries. Analysis of medical literature and publications over the past five years was carried out, with due attention to the studies related to modern surgical treatment methods of peripheral nerve traumatic injuries. The problem of surgical treatment has not been thoroughly studied. Peripheral nerve regeneration is a complex process, and therefore the existing treatment methods are limited due to slow nerve regeneration and insufficient spanning of large post-traumatic nerve defects. To overcome these limitations, a cell therapy has been developed that ensures the presence of supporting cells at the site of the lesion in order to accelerate nerve regeneration. Schwann cells play an important role in many aspects of nerve regeneration. Stem cell transplantation for peripheral nerve regeneration represents alternative cell therapy with several regenerative benefits. Various types of stem cell sources are currently being investigated for use for peripheral nerve regeneration in combination with the most optimal nerve guide conduit.