A novel indication of Glyaderm®: its use as a nerve wrap in the treatment of compression neuropathies

Vollständiger Abstract

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Abstract Background Fibrotic changes following surgical decompression of nerve entrapment can restrict nerve regeneration, and exert pressure on the nerve, leading to symptoms of recurring entrapment. This case series reports on the outcomes of using Glyaderm® (ETB-BISLIFE Multi Tissue Center, The Netherlands) as a low-cost, customizable, and biocompatible nerve wrap in patients with recurrent or post-traumatic compression neuropathies, highlighting its potential benefits as a neuroprotective shield. Methods We reviewed all patients who presented to the Radboud University Medical Center in Nijmegen, The Netherlands, between 2024 and 2025 with compression neuropathies. Patient demographics and clinical characteristics included: age, sex, hand dominance, anatomical location and etiology of nerve entrapment syndrome including surgeries, any postoperative complications during follow-up, subjective symptom improvement, and follow-up time. Results Twenty patients were operated using Glyaderm as a nerve wrap for recurrent or post-traumatic compression neuropathies. Compression neuropathies included the ulnar nerve (35%), median nerve (25%), peroneal nerve (15%), tibial nerve (10%), radial nerve (5%), and in two patients multiple nerves. This was either both the ulnar and radial nerve, or the ulnar and the posterior interosseus nerve (PIN) (10%). There were no postoperative complications in 85% ( n = 17) of the patients. Three patients experienced wound problems, including hematoma, wound dehiscence, and suture irritation. 65% of the patients experienced amelioration of their symptoms. Conclusions Glyaderm appears to be a cost-effective, simple, and well-tolerated adjunct in compression neuropathies. It offers several advantages over existing alternatives, including lower cost, ease of use, and the avoidance of additional donor site morbidity. Future randomized controlled trials with extended follow-up duration are needed to validate its efficacy and define its long-term benefits in peripheral nerve surgery.