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Functional assessment of sciatic nerve reconstruction: Biodegradable poly (DLLA‐ϵ‐CL) nerve guides versus autologous nerve grafts
Author(s) -
Meek Marcel F.,
Dijkstra Jeroen R.,
Den Dunnen Wilfred F.A.,
IjkemaPaassen Jos,
Schakenraad Jeff M.,
Gramsbergen Albert,
Robinson Peter H.
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
microsurgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.031
H-Index - 63
eISSN - 1098-2752
pISSN - 0738-1085
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1098-2752(1999)19:8<381::aid-micr6>3.0.co;2-7
Subject(s) - medicine , sciatic nerve , nerve repair , epineurial repair , nerve guidance conduit , biomedical engineering , surgery , anesthesia , peripheral nerve , anatomy
The aim of this study was to compare functional nerve recovery after reconstruction with a biodegradable p(DLLA‐ϵ‐CL) nerve guide filled with modified denatured muscle tissue (MDMT), or an autologous nerve graft. We evaluated nerve recovery using walking track analysis (measurement of the sciatic function index [SFI]) and electrostimulation tests. Functional nerve recovery after reconstruction with a biodegradable p(DLLA‐ϵ‐CL) nerve guide filled with MDMT was faster when compared with nerve reconstruction using an autologous nerve graft. We conclude that in case of a short nerve gap in the rat, reconstruction can best be carried out using a p(DLLA‐ϵ‐CL) biodegradable nerve guide filled with MDMT. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. MICROSURGERY 19:381–388 1999