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Garbuzov et al. Plast Aesthet Res 2023;10:9 Plastic and
DOI: 10.20517/2347-9264.2022.51
Aesthetic Research

Review Open Access

Advances in lower extremity peripheral nerve
surgery

2
2
1
Anna Garbuzov , Ramin Shekouhi , D. Spencer Nichols , Harvey Chim 3,4
1
University of Queensland-Ochsner Clinical School, Jefferson, LA 70121, USA.
2
College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, FL 32610, USA.
3
Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville,
Florida, FL 32610, USA.
4
Lilian S. Wells Department of Neurosurgery, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida, FL 32610, USA.
Correspondence to: Dr. Harvey Chim, Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (Department of Surgery), University of
Florida College of Medicine, 1600 SW Archer Road, Gainesville, Florida, FL 32610, USA. E-mail: harveychim@yahoo.com
How to cite this article: Garbuzov A, Shekouhi R, Nichols DS, Chim H. Advances in lower extremity peripheral nerve surgery.
Plast Aesthet Res 2023;10:9. https://dx.doi.org/10.20517/2347-9264.2022.51
Received: 25 May 2022 First Decision: 28 Oct 2022 Revised: 30 Nov 2022 Accepted: 1 Mar 2023 Published: 7 Mar 2023

Academic Editors: Raymund E. Horch, Marten Basta Copy Editor: Ying Han Production Editor: Ying Han

Abstract
Peripheral nerve injury (PNI) is a common source of pain and disability in patients. While many patients are
affected by PNI, peripheral nerve surgery advancements in the lower extremity have lagged behind the upper
extremity. Subsequently, principles that have demonstrated success in the upper extremity have been
implemented in the lower extremity. Interventions with recent advances include the advent of novel nerve transfers
in the lower extremity and using stem cells and electrical stimulation (ES) for nerve regeneration. This article
focuses on advances in nerve transfers for lower extremity PNI and provides details on the basic science and
clinical applications of newer interventions.

Keywords: Stem cells, peripheral nerve, surgery, nerve transfer, electrical stimulation, nerve repair, nerve
regeneration

INTRODUCTION
Patients with traumatic injuries may experience pain and disability due to PNI. One recent study found that
1.2% of patients with lower extremity trauma experience PNI, and these patients are more likely to

© The Author(s) 2023. Open Access This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0
International License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, sharing,
adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, for any purpose, even commercially, as
long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license, and
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