Selected recent advances in peripheral nerve injury research.

Interactions between Schwann cells and growing neurites are reviewed as are the implications of axonal transport studies in shaping the regenerative process. Increased investigative attention will be required to study biochemical changes occurring in the local environment of the injury site even though continued study of the neuronal metabolic process remains critical. Important studies concerning the connective tissue structure of nerve and probable "blood-nerve barrier" sites are reviewed. Factors responsible for connective tissue proliferation and fibroblast alignment after injury are not well understood. Recent experimental studies relating to surgical repair of nerve are reviewed as are a few selected papers reflecting changes in clinical management of the patient with nerve injury.