Usability of Nerve Tape: A Novel Sutureless Nerve Coaptation Device

Abstract

Microsuture neurorrhaphy is technically challenging and has inherent drawbacks. This study evaluated the potential of a novel, sutureless nerve coaptation device to improve efficiency and precision. Twelve surgeons participated in this study-six attending hand/microsurgeons and six trainees (orthopedic and plastic surgery residents or hand surgery fellows). Twenty-four cadaver arm specimens were used, and nerve repairs were performed at six sites in each specimen-the median and ulnar nerves in the proximal forearm, the median and ulnar nerves in the distal forearm, and the common digital nerves to the second and third web spaces. Each study participant performed nerve repairs at all six injury locations in two different cadaver arms (n= 12 total repairs for each participating surgeon). The nerve repairs were timed, tested for tensile strength, and graded for alignment and technical repair quality. A substantial reduction in time was required to perform repairs with the novel coaptation device (1.6 ± 0.8 minutes) compared with microsuture (7.2 ± 3.6 minutes). Device repairs were judged clinically acceptable (scoring "Excellent" or "Good" by most of the expert panel) in 97% of the repairs; the percentage of suture repairs receiving Excellent/Good scores by most of the expert panel was 69.4% for attending surgeons and 36.1% for trainees. The device repairs exhibited a higher average peak tensile force (7.0 ± 3.6 N) compared with suture repairs (2.6 ± 1.6 N). Nerve repairs performed with a novel repair device were performed faster and with higher technical precision than those performed using microsutures. Device repairs had substantially greater tensile strength than microsuture repairs. The evaluated novel nerve repair device may improve surgical efficiency and nerve repair quality.