Determining the maximal length of a vein conduit used as an interposition graft for nerve regeneration.
Although autogenous veins have been used as nerve conduits (AVNCs) both experimentally and clinically for short nerve gaps up to 3 cm, investigators have not as yet determined the maximal effective length for functional nerve regeneration. In addition, the role of the distal nerve stump on subsequent nerve growth remains unclear. A rabbit peroneal nerve AVNC model was used to study axonal regeneration through nerve gaps of 1 to 6 cm. After allowing ample time for nerve regeneration, clinical, electophysiologic and neurohistologic studies were performed to evaluate nerve growth and functional muscle reinnervation. Comparisons were made with 6-cm conventional nerve grafts. Excellent growth and function were found with AVNCs up to 3 cm in length, with increasing incapacity for regeneration at lengths greater than 3 cm. The distal nerve stump is believed to play a vital role in nerve regrowth.
Strauch
B
B
Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, USA.
Ferder
M
M
Lovelle-Allen
S
S
Moore
K
K
Kim
D J
DJ
Llena
J
J
D000818:Animals; D001369:Axons / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D009416:Nerve Regeneration; D010543:Peroneal Nerve / Q000502:physiology* / Q000601:surgery; D011817:Rabbits; D014680:Veins / Q000637:transplantation*