Introduction
The nervous system is divided into the central
nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral nervous system (PNS). The CNS consists
of the brain, spinal cord and the first two cranial nerves, while the remaining
cranial nerves and the spinal nerves constitute the PNS. The CNS and PNS have
fundamentally different responses to injury, the CNS having little ability to
regenerate, while the PNS has considerable potential for recovery if conditions
are favourable. This chapter deals mainly with surgical disorders of the PNS.
Injuries to peripheral nerves have a major effect on the functional outcome
after trauma, and therefore careful management from an early stage is important
to obtain the best results possible.