title: Functional assessment of sciatic nerve reconstruction: biodegradable poly (DLLA-epsilon-CL) nerve guides versus autologous nerve grafts.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, University Hospital Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: M F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Meek
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Dijkstra
authors.forename: W F
authors.initials: WF
authors.lastname: Den Dunnen
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ijkema-Paassen
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Schakenraad
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gramsbergen
authors.forename: P H
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Robinson
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D002208:Caproates; D007783:Lactones; D011108:Polymers; C121056:caprolactone