New one-stage nerve pedicle grafting technique using the great auricular nerve for reconstruction of facial nerve defects.

A new one-stage nerve pedicle grafting technique, employing a vascularized great auricular nerve graft, was used to repair a facial nerve defect. The facial nerve of a 39-year-old woman with facial schwannoma was resected, and an island vascularized great auricular nerve graft from the ipsilateral side was transferred to bridge a 4 cm long defect of the buccal branch. Postoperatively, rapid nerve sprouting through the vascularized nerve graft and excellent facial reanimation were obtained within 6 months after surgery.

Vascularized femoral nerve graft with anterolateral thigh true perforator flap for massive defects after cancer ablation in the upper arm.

Massive resection of soft-tissue sarcoma in the elbow region often results in loss of long segments of the brachial artery and median nerve, as well as a wide soft-tissue defect. With conventional nerve grafts and revascularization of the arm, forearm and hand function is poor because nerves cannot be regenerated over the long nerve gap in the high elbow region. The authors used a long vascularized nerve graft and found it effective for reconstruction of upper arm function.