Allograft nerve repair to prevent sensorimotor loss after nerve sheath tumor resection

Acellularized nerve allografts (ANAs) have been developed as substitutes for nerve autograft to promote nerve regeneration after surgical repair. In this video, the authors demonstrate operative techniques for using ANAs to repair potentially functional nerve fascicles during tumor resection. A 67-year-old female with schwannomatosis requested resection of a painful enlarging mass of the left ulnar nerve proximal to the elbow. During surgery, neuromonitoring suggested that fas-cicles entering the tumor could be functional. Therefore, nerve allograft was used to repair the transected fascicles. The patient recovered with full strength and sensation in the ulnar distribution, with resolution of her preoperative symptoms.