Management of Neuropathic Pain with Neurectomy Combined with Dermal Sensory Regenerative Peripheral Nerve Interface (DS-RPNI)

Abstract

Neuropathic pain affects a large percentage of the U.S. population and leads to tremendous morbidity. Numerous nonsurgical and surgical treatments have been utilized to try and manage neuropathic pain with varying degrees of success. Recent research investigating ways to improve prosthetic control have identified new mechanisms for preventing neuromas in both motor and sensory nerves with free muscle and dermal grafts, respectively. These procedures have been used to treat chronic neuropathic pain in nonamputees, as well, in order to reduce failure rates found with traditional neurectomy procedures. Herein, we focus our attention on Dermal Sensory-Regenerative Peripheral Nerve Interfaces (DS-RPNI, free dermal grafts) which can be used to physiologically “cap” sensory nerves following neurectomy and have been shown to significantly decrease neuropathic pain.