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Functional assessment of sciatic nerve recovery: biodegradable poly (DLLA‐ϵ‐CL) nerve guide filled with fresh skeletal muscle
Author(s) -
Varejão Artur S.P.,
Cabrita António M.,
Geuna Stefano,
Patrício João A.,
Azevedo Horácio R.,
Ferreira António J.,
Meek Marcel F.
Publication year - 2003
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/micr.10148
Subject(s) - medicine , sciatic nerve , motor nerve , soleus muscle , gastrocnemius muscle , saline , anatomy , skeletal muscle , anesthesia , biomedical engineering
The aim of this study was to compare functional peripheral nerve recovery in the rat sciatic nerve model after reconstruction of a 10‐mm gap with a biodegradable poly (DLLA‐ϵ‐CL) nerve guide, as filled with either fresh skeletal muscle or phosphate‐buffered saline (PBS). During 24 weeks of recovery, motor and sensory functional evaluation was tested by extensor postural thrust (EPT) and withdrawal reflex latency (WRL), respectively. At the end of the experiment, anesthetized animals were prepared for motor nerve conduction velocity (MNCV) studies, followed by gastrocnemius and soleus muscle weight measurement. Motor functional recovery was greater in the muscle‐grafted group, and reached a significant difference from weeks 8–12 ( P < 0.05). The results of this investigation suggest that filling a nerve guide with fresh skeletal muscle induces faster maturation of regenerated nerve fibers in comparison with traditional tubular repair. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. MICROSURGERY 23:346–353 2003