ABSTRACT
Peripheral nerve injuries constitute a frequent and disabling condition, with an estimated incidence reaching 23 per 100,000 persons per year in developed countries, not accounting for non traumatic cases (i.e., nerve damage secondary to abdominal or pelvic surgeries) and for lesions not treated at health facilities (Taylor et al., 2008; Asplund et al., 2009). Despite great advances in microsurgical techniques, nerve repair continues to be suboptimal, and full functional recovery is seldom achieved.
