Revascularization of peripheral nerve autografts and allografts.
The timing and mechanisms of peripheral nerve revascularization were investigated using a 2-cm sciatic nerve graft model in 58 rats. Epineurial perfusion was consistently established by 48 hours and endoneurial perfusion by 72 hours. The pattern of endoneurial perfusion was "all-or-none"--either all or none of the vessels in a fascicle exhibited blood flow. Conventional allografts exhibited similar revascularization dynamics and patterns. Capping the ends of the autograft with Silastic significantly delayed revascularization; no flow was observed at 4 days, and only a peripheral rim of perfused fascicular vessels was observed at 7 days. These patterns suggested that the primary method of revascularization in the conventional graft was longitudinal inosculation; no evidence of peripheral neovascularization or dependence on the graft bed as a source of revascularization was observed. The introduction of a major histocompatibility complex barrier between the grafted tissue and the recipient animal did not alter the timing or the mechanics of blood flow reestablishment.
Best
T J
TJ
Institute of Medical Science, Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Mackinnon
S E
SE
Midha
R
R
Hunter
D A
DA
Evans
P J
PJ
D000818:Animals; D004129:Dimethylpolysiloxanes; D008297:Male; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D011917:Rats, Inbred Lew; D011920:Rats, Inbred WF; D012584:Sciatic Nerve / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000637:transplantation*; D012828:Silicones; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous
D004129:Dimethylpolysiloxanes; D012828:Silicones; C013830:baysilon