Peripheral Nerve Surgery
Surgical conditions involving peripheral nerves are nerve injury, nerve tumor, and nerve entrapment. Injury to the nerves is usually caused by a road traffic accident, cut injury, penetrating injury, or blunt injury. Nerve trauma usually occurs in young people and can be devastating. Decision-making regarding surgical repair of the nerves is critical. In properly indicated cases, early surgical repair can provide the best possible outcome. Various types of peripheral nerve tumors can occur; however, schwannoma, neurofibroma, and malignant neurofibroma are the most common. Nerve tumors need proper evaluation and microsurgical management. Entrapment neuropathies are the other type of pathology that may require surgery. Carpal tunnel syndrome is the commonest type of entrapment. This chapter will discuss surgical diseases of the peripheral nerve. Peripheral nerve injury is discussed in the first part of the chapter and peripheral nerve tumors and entrapment neuropathy are discussed subsequently in brief.