Functional assessment of sciatic nerve reconstruction: biodegradable poly (DLLA-epsilon-CL) nerve guides versus autologous nerve grafts.
The aim of this study was to compare functional nerve recovery after reconstruction with a biodegradable p(DLLA-epsilon-CL) nerve guide filled with modified denatured muscle tissue (MDMT), or an autologous nerve graft. We evaluated nerve recovery using walking track analysis (measurement of the sciatic function index [SFI]) and electrostimulation tests. Functional nerve recovery after reconstruction with a biodegradable p(DLLA-epsilon-CL) nerve guide filled with MDMT was faster when compared with nerve reconstruction using an autologous nerve graft. We conclude that in case of a short nerve gap in the rat, reconstruction can best be carried out using a p(DLLA-epsilon-CL) biodegradable nerve guide filled with MDMT.
Meek
M F
MF
Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, University Hospital Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
Dijkstra
J R
JR
Den Dunnen
W F
WF
Ijkema-Paassen
J
J
Schakenraad
J M
JM
Gramsbergen
A
A
Robinson
P H
PH
D020341:Absorbable Implants; D000818:Animals; D002208:Caproates; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D020007:Implants, Experimental; D007783:Lactones; D008297:Male; D010525:Peripheral Nerves / Q000637:transplantation*; D011108:Polymers; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012584:Sciatic Nerve / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology
D002208:Caproates; D007783:Lactones; D011108:Polymers; C121056:caprolactone