[Clinical application of PGA-tube for regeneration of intrapelvic nerves during extended surgery for intrapelvic recurrent rectal cancer].

For the regeneration of injured peripheral nerves, we have devised a PGA-tube that is composed of a tube of polyglycolic acid containing collagen sponge. This PGA-tube was applied clinically to reconstruct a peripheral nerve that had been resected during extended surgical resection of for intrapelvic recurrent rectal cancer. Four months after the surgical resection, the function of the left hip joint has improved remarkably, whereas the function had been lost just after the operation. It is suggested that the PGA-tube will be useful for regeneration of peripheral nerves that are resected during operation for intrapelvic malignancy.