title: Evaluation of functional nerve recovery after reconstruction with a poly (DL-lactide-epsilon-caprolactone) nerve guide, filled with modified denatured muscle tissue.
abstract: The aim of this study was to compare the speed of functional nerve recovery after reconstruction with a biodegradable p(DLLA-epsilon-CL) nerve guide, as filled with either modified denatured muscle tissue (MDMT) or phosphate-buffered saline (PBS). To evaluate both motor and sensory nerve recovery, walking-track analysis and electrostimulation tests were carried out after implantation periods, ranging from 3-15 weeks. Functional nerve recovery after reconstruction of a 15-mm nerve gap, with a biodegradable p(DLLA-epsilon-CL) nerve guide filled with modified denatured muscle tissue, was slightly faster, compared with nerve reconstruction of a 10-mm gap with a biodegradable p(DLLA-epsilon-CL) nerve guide filled with PBS. We conclude that our experiments have demonstrated that the use of MDMT increases the speed of recovery after reconstruction of a nerve gap with a p(DLLA-epsilon-CL) biodegradable nerve guide. Furthermore, the use of MDMT might open perspectives for repair of longer nerve gaps.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, University Hospital Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: M F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Meek
authors.forename: W F
authors.initials: WF
authors.lastname: Den Dunnen
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Schakenraad
authors.forename: P H
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Robinson
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D015925:Cryopreservation / Q000379:methods; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D020007:Implants, Experimental; D008297:Male; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000637:transplantation; D009416:Nerve Regeneration; D011091:Polyesters / Q000627:therapeutic use; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D011091:Polyesters; C062968:lactide-caprolactone copolymer