Obstetric brachial plexus palsy: a large animal model for traction injury and its repair. Part 1: age of the recipient.
A Sunderland type IV traction injury to the C6 root of the sheep or lamb brachial plexus was used as a model for obstetric traction injury to the C5 root in humans. The injury was created and immediately repaired using interfascicular nerve autografts in a group of adult sheep and a group of newborn lambs. The animals were examined using electrophysiological and morphometric techniques 1 year after operation. It was found that the recovery of neuromuscular function was superior in the lambs. The implication is that nerves in newborn animals have a better potential for regeneration than that seen in older individuals. This is discussed with reference to the management of obstetric brachial plexus palsy.
Fullarton
A C
AC
Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Edinburgh, Western General Hospital, UK.
Lenihan
D V
DV
Myles
L M
LM
Glasby
M A
MA
D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D001917:Brachial Plexus / Q000293:injuries*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D005260:Female; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000503:physiopathology; D009431:Neural Conduction; D010246:Paralysis, Obstetric / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012756:Sheep