Comparison of the pattern of early revascularization of conventional versus vascularized nerve grafts in the canine.
Blood flow to both conventional and vascularized canine saphenous nerve grafts was quantitated at two, 24, and 72 hours postoperatively, using radionuclide-labeled microspheres. For all time periods vascularized nerve grafts demonstrated adequate blood flow equal to or exceeding normal nerve controls. In contrast, conventional nerve grafts exhibited no significant fascicular revascularization in the first 24 hours, and only one of three dogs demonstrated adequate blood flow by three days postoperative.
D000818:Animals; D004285:Dogs; D005205:Fascia / Q000502:physiology; D006614:Hindlimb / Q000098:blood supply / Q000294:innervation*; D008863:Microspheres; D009420:Nervous System / Q000637:transplantation*; D012039:Regional Blood Flow