Peripheral nerve repairs by the funicular suture technique.

Sixty-one peripheral nerve repairs in 48 patients sutured by the funicular suture technique were followed up for a minimum of 2 years after operation, the average follow-up period being 48 months. Useful recovery was obtained in 100 per cent of cases with radial and musculocutaneous nerve repairs. Seventy-five per cent of cases with median, 82 per cent with ulnar and 88 per cent with digital nerve lesions attained "useful" grade recovery. In the lower extremity, the motor recovery was excellent, whereas the sensory recovery was poor. In two out of three cases where cable grafting was performed between important funiculi the result obtained was excellent. To obtain satisfactory neurological recovery, the funicular suture, technique using the surgical microscope is the method of choice for primary and secondary nerve suture and cable grafting.