Acellular processed nerve allografts are nerves from deceased human donors that have had their immunogenic components removed using tissue processing techniques. They are stored frozen until implantation and are available in different sizes. Immunosuppressive treatment is not needed.
The procedure is done under general anaesthesia. The injured nerve is exposed, and the nerve ends are cleared of necrotic tissues and resected to allow for tension-free alignment with the graft. The graft is sutured to the exposed nerve ends. After grafting, limb splinting may be needed for several weeks to allow optimal nerve regeneration. The typical length of an allograft implant is 1 cm to 3 cm.
The aim of the procedure is to bridge the peripheral nerve discontinuity to allow axonal regeneration and growth through the allograft towards the distal nerve.