title: Cutaneous saphenous nerve graft for the treatment of sciatic neurotmesis in a dog.
abstract: METHODS
  A 2-year-old Griffon Vendéen was examined because of a 1-month history of right hind limb lameness after a traumatic injury.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Neurologic examination revealed monoplegia and anesthesia of the right hind limb distal to the stifle (femorotibial) joint except for the area supplied by the cutaneous saphenous nerve. Results of electromyographic testing were consistent with a severe lesion of the tibial and peroneal nerves at the level of the stifle joint.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Exploratory surgery revealed an 80-mm-long gap in both the peroneal and tibial branches of the right sciatic nerve. A section of the left cutaneous saphenous nerve was interposed to graft the nerve defects. The dog received joint mechanotherapy and electrophysiologic therapy during the reinnervation process. Ten months after surgery, the dog had recovered almost completely. Neurologic examination revealed diminished flexion of the tarsal and digital joints. Repeat electromyographic testing revealed no abnormal spontaneous electrical activity in the right hind limb musculature, and small compound muscle action potentials were recorded in the right interosseous and cranial tibial muscles.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Without surgical treatment, neurotmesis injury results in poor recovery of motor and sensory functions and may result in amputation. If a nerve defect exists, nerve grafting should be considered, even if the procedure is delayed until well after the injury. The sensory portion of the cutaneous saphenous nerve is a potential source of peripheral nerve for grafting in dogs. Reinnervation is a long-term process and physiologic support and owner involvement are necessary, but nearly complete functional recovery is possible.
authors.affiliation: Unité de Neurologie, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, 7 avenue de General de Gaulle, 94704 Maison-Alfort Cedex, France.
authors.forename: Nicolas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Granger
authors.forename: Pierre
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Moissonnier
authors.forename: Laurent
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Fanchon
authors.forename: Antoine
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hidalgo
authors.forename: Kirsten
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Gnirs
authors.forename: Stephane
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Blot
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D004285:Dogs; D004594:Electrophysiology; D005260:Female; D006614:Hindlimb / Q000294:innervation*; D012584:Sciatic Nerve / Q000293:injuries* / Q000637:transplantation*; D016896:Treatment Outcome