[A degradable artificial nerve guide to bridge peripheral nerve defects].

The standard technique for bridging a peripheral nerve defect is an autologous nerve graft if the nerve ends cannot be sutured. Recent evidence indicates that an alternative procedure-application of a degradable nerve guide-may be feasible. Currently the use of such a degradable nerve guide for the recovery of peripheral nerve defects in the hand is being tested in a multicenter trial. Conventional suturing as well as autologous nerve grafting are accepted methods in the control group within the protocol of the multicenter study. In the first two patients to receive the implant, a 28-year-old man and a 50-year-old women with tendon and nerve injury due to glass cuts, the operation was technically successful. Functional nerve recovery will be assessed in due course.