Repair of partial lesions with nerve grafting methods in the rat tibial nerve.
A partial nerve lesion and associated neuroma can be either left alone or repaired with a graft. A by-pass graft around the undisturbed lesion with end-to-side attachments might be a good alternative. This study in rats examines these strategies using walking-track analysis, muscle weights, and histology. After a tibial nerve partial lesion (3 mm) and a 21-day delay, the reexposed lesion was either not repaired, repaired with an interposed allograft, or a by-pass allograft. Functional results showed that all three groups had a steady improvement over the 8-week period, but without significant group differences. Gastrocnemius muscle ratios reflected intermediate atrophy. Axons regenerating through the lesion were more advanced than those which regenerated through the grafts and a neuroma was absent. The partial lesion can regenerate to an intermediate level without any intervention, including a by-pass graft, although the delayed repair strategy may have counteracted any potential benefits.
Kerns
James M
JM
Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois 60612, USA.
Malushte
Tejashree S
TS
Nagel
Theodore
T
Shott
Susan
S
Safanda
John
J
Gonzalez
Mark
M
D000818:Animals; D001369:Axons / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D008853:Microscopy; D008866:Microsurgery / Q000379:methods*; D009416:Nerve Regeneration / Q000502:physiology; D010543:Peroneal Nerve / Q000637:transplantation*; D051381:Rats; D011916:Rats, Inbred F344; D020127:Recovery of Function / Q000502:physiology; D013979:Tibial Nerve / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery*; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology*