Nerve repair and grafting in the upper extremity.

Knowledge of peripheral nerve anatomy, coupled with available clinical tools for examination, provides the foundation for initial evaluation. Use of this information may be related to the specific injury and a reconstructive plan formulated to maximize the potential for recovery. Realistic expectations can be presented to the patient based on information from summarized clinical experience. The field of nerve repair continues to change rapidly, and clinicians must utilize all resources available for planning, evaluation, and management. As the cellular behaviors of nerve regeneration are delineated, new avenues of research will open.