The treatment of epineural scarring with allograft vein wrapping.

Painful scarring around peripheral nerves is a difficult treatment dilemma. Many previously recommended treatment options have resulted in recurrence of pain. The authors describe the technique of allograft vein wrapping with preserved human umbilical vein. To date, 119 vein wrappings of peripheral nerves have been performed. Good or excellent results were obtained in 79% of the patients. The most common complication has been deep infection (in two patients) and a draining sinus tract (in seven patients). The majority of patients have had significant relief from their chronic pain, and the authors have found the results, at an average follow-up of 25 months, to be very encouraging.