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Re‐animation of muscle flaps for improved function in dynamic myoplasty
Author(s) -
Stremel Richard W.,
Zonnevijlle Erik D.H.
Publication year - 2001
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.1052
Subject(s) - medicine , stimulation , gracilis muscle , microsurgery , skeletal muscle , muscle contraction , anatomy , functional electrical stimulation , latissimus dorsi muscle , contraction (grammar) , surgery
The authors report on a series of experiments designed to produce a skeletal muscle contraction functional for dynamic myoplasties. Conventional stimulation techniques recruit all or most of the muscle fibers simultaneously and with maximal strength. This approach has limitations in free dynamic muscle flap transfers that require the muscle to contract immediately after transfer and before re‐innervation. Sequential stimulation of segments of the transferred muscle provides a means of producing non‐fatiguing contractions of the muscle in the presence or absence of innervation. The muscles studied were the canine gracilis, and all experiments were acute studies in anesthetized animals. Comparison of conventional and sequential segmental neuromuscular stimulation revealed an increase in muscle fatigue resistance and muscle blood flow with the new approach. This approach offers the opportunity for development of physiologically animated tissue and broadening the abilities of reconstructive surgeons in the repair of functional defects. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. MICROSURGERY 21:281‐286 2001