NEUROTIZATION
Neurotization is the technique by which the proximal portion of one nerve is anastomosed to the distal end of another nerve. The proximal end of the donor nerve is sacrificed and is anastomosed to a nerve that mediates an indispensable function, but has sustained an irreparable injury. A great experience has been amassed of reinnervation of the interrupted facial nerve after anastomosis with accessory, hypoglossal, or phrenic nerve. In cases of brachial plexus avulsion, neurotization can be performed using superior intercostal nerves, the accessory nerve or another nerve from the neighbouring area. In case of long and irreparable gaps of the peroneal nerve in the popliteal fossa, a part of intact branches of the tibial nerve for the lateral parts of the gastrocnemius muscle can be sacrificed by being sutured to the peripheral branches of the peroneal nerve.
