RATE OF REGENERATION IN HUMAN PERIPHERAL NERVES

Abstract

THOUGH valuable information continues to accumulate regarding the reparative process following experimental nerve injuries in lower mammals, the available information relating to repair in human material remains incomplete and is still too meager to enable one to determine whether the experimental results are directly applicable to man. In the present inquiry an attempt has been made to calculate the rate of regeneration after lesions of human peripheral nerves and to analyze the events that occur in the interval between the injury and the onset of clinical recovery. The importance of this information in regard to the treatment and prognosis of peripheral nerve injuries is self evident. The investigation was commenced at an Australian military hospital in 1940, when it was apparent that large numbers of patients with nerve injuries would again come under observation. All the patients here reported on remained under my care until either (a) recovery was complete