Why and how are nerves reconstructed?
The correct restoration of injured or destroyed peripheral nerves is undoubtedly the greatest achievement of my teacher, Univ.-Prof. Dr. Hanno Millesi. He discovered that it is better not to suture the two ends of a severed nerve directly together when the distance between them exceeds a certain length, but rather to bridge the gap (the “defect”) between the two ends by transplanting an expendable nerve from the patient’s own body.
This discovery made Prof. Millesi world-famous. It was based on the realization that it is absolutely essential to connect nerve ends without any tension whatsoever. If, instead, severed nerve ends are sutured under tension, this triggers a scar reaction at the suture site, which forms a mechanical barrier and impedes or prevents the regrowth of nerve fibers. The reasoning was simple: nerves respond to tension or pressure just like any other tissue — by producing scar tissue. To ensure complete tension-free conditions at the suture site, it is therefore better to accept a longer regeneration distance.
The principles established by Prof. Millesi for the surgery of peripheral nerves represent the current international standard and have helped countless people heal and regain lost functions.
The health insurance funds naturally cover all costs for the procedure.
