An electrophysiological and morphological comparison of the microwave muscle graft and the freeze-thawed muscle graft.
The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility of using a microwave oven to produce denatured muscle grafts for the repair of 1 cm deficits in the rabbit peroneal nerve. Recovery of function was assessed after 6 months by electrophysiological and histological examination of the peroneal nerve and target muscles. The results were compared to normal rabbits and to a group whose nerves were repaired with freeze-thawed muscle grafts (FTMG). The results of this study showed that heating muscle in a microwave oven does produce a graft which may be used as an alternative to the FTMG. However, the technical difficulties in preparing a microwave muscle graft make the use of this technique in the clinical setting unlikely.
Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Edinburgh, Western General Hospital, UK.
D V
DV
Lenihan
A J
AJ
Carter
M A
MA
Glasby
D000818:Animals; D001369:Axons; D004594:Electrophysiology; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005615:Freezing; D008872:Microwaves; D018485:Muscle Fibers, Skeletal / Q000166:cytology; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000637:transplantation*; D009416:Nerve Regeneration; D010543:Peroneal Nerve / Q000293:injuries* / Q000502:physiology / Q000601:surgery; D011817:Rabbits