[A long-term study of regeneration of mechanical sensory fibers after free nerve transplantation to the rabbit reconstructed penis].
OBJECTIVE
To explore the regeneration of mechanical sensory fibers after free nerve transplantation.


METHODS
Neuroelectrophysiological technique (single nerve fiber recording) was used to test the regeneration rate of mechanical sensory fibers, the proportion of rapidly and slowly adapting receptors, the stimulating thresholds of regenerated mechanoreceptors and conduction velocity of regenerated fibers. The regeneration pattern of the mechanoreceptors after free nerve transplantation to the rabbit reconstructed penis was also analyzed.


RESULTS
9 months after operation, the number of regenerated mechanical sensory fiber was almost normal. The regenerated rapidly adapting receptors had a higher proportion with higher mature degree than the regenerated slowly adapting receptors. 9 months after nerve transplantation the stimulating thresholds of regenerated mechanoreceptors and conduction velocity of regenerated fibers remained below normal.


CONCLUSIONS
After free nerve transplantation to the rabbit reconstructed penis, the function of both rapidly and slowly adapting sensory nerve fiber partially recovered, but in different extent.
Li
Wen-peng
WP
Department of Plastic Surgery, Changzheng Hospital of the Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China. liwenp@126.com
Jiang
Hua
H
Wu
Bao-jin
BJ
Chen
Gang
G
Liu
Ying
Y
D000818:Animals; D017950:Ganglia, Sensory / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D008465:Mechanoreceptors / Q000502:physiology; D009412:Nerve Fibers / Q000637:transplantation*; D009416:Nerve Regeneration; D010413:Penis / Q000601:surgery*; D011817:Rabbits