Use of a static magnetic field to promote recovery after peripheral nerve injury.
OBJECTIVE
While pulsed electromagnetic stimulation has been shown to enhance peripheral nerve regeneration, the effect of a static magnetic field on nerve repair is less clear. The aim of this study was to establish what effect an imposed exogenous static magnetic field has on peripheral nerve regeneration after transection and repair.


METHODS
Three groups of six adult sheep were used. The first group acted as normal controls. In the second group, the median nerve was divided and immediately repaired by entubulation within a "controlled-release" biodegradable glass tube. In the third group, small magnets were applied to the sides of the biodegradable glass tubes before the median nerve was repaired using these magnetic tubes. The sheep were allowed to recover and were reexamined 10 months later. The animals underwent comprehensive morphometric (cross-sectional morphometry and measurement of internodal lengths), electrophysiological (determinations of stimulated jitter, maximum conduction velocity, refractory period, and F waves), and isometric tension (isometric twitch and tetanic tension) assessments.


CONCLUSIONS
Exogenously applied static electromagnetic fields do not enhance peripheral nerve regeneration.
Kelleher
Michael O
MO
National Neurosurgical Unit, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Republic of Ireland. mokelleher@eircom.net
Al-Abri
Rashid K
RK
Lenihan
David V
DV
Glasby
Michael A
MA
D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical; D000818:Animals; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D004576:Electromyography; D005898:Glass; D008280:Magnetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008475:Median Nerve / Q000293:injuries / Q000601:surgery; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000294:innervation; D009416:Nerve Regeneration / Q000502:physiology*; D059348:Peripheral Nerve Injuries; D010525:Peripheral Nerves / Q000601:surgery; D011108:Polymers; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D012756:Sheep
D011108:Polymers