title: The influence of nerve conduits diameter in motor nerve recovery after segmental nerve repair.
abstract: Many conduits have demonstrated potential to substitute nerve autografts; however, the influence of conduit inner diameter (ID) has never been studied as a separate parameter. This experimental study compared motor recovery after segmental nerve repair with two different ID collagen conduits: 1.5 and 2.0 mm. In addition, the conduits were analyzed in vitro to determine the variations of ID before and after hydration. Thirty rats were divided into three groups: 2.0 mm ID, 1.5 mm ID, and a control group autograft. After 12 weeks, the 1.5 mm ID group demonstrated significant increase in force (P < 0.0001) and weight (P < 0.0001) of the tibialis anterior muscle and better histomorphometry results of the peroneal nerve (P < 0.05) compared to 2.0 mm ID group; nevertheless, autograft results outperformed both conduits (P < 0.0001). Conduits ID were somewhat smaller than advertised, measuring 1.59 ± 0.03 mm and 1.25 ± 0.0 mm. Only the larger conduit showed a 6% increase in ID after hydration, changing to 1.69 ± 0.02 mm. Although autografts perform best, an improvement in motor recovery can be achieved with collagen conduits when a better size match conduit is being used. Minimal changes in collagen conduits ID can be expected after implantation.
authors.affiliation: Microvascular Research Laboratory, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN.
authors.forename: Guilherme
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Giusti
authors.forename: Richard H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Shin
authors.forename: Joo-Yup
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Tiago G
authors.initials: TG
authors.lastname: Mattar
authors.forename: Allen T
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Bishop
authors.forename: Alexander Y
authors.initials: AY
authors.lastname: Shin
mesh_terms: D000200:Action Potentials; D000818:Animals; D003094:Collagen; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D048091:Guided Tissue Regeneration; D006614:Hindlimb; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology*; D053580:Muscle Strength; D009416:Nerve Regeneration / Q000502:physiology*; D051381:Rats; D011917:Rats, Inbred Lew; D020127:Recovery of Function / Q000502:physiology; D012584:Sciatic Nerve / Q000293:injuries* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*
chemical_list: D003094:Collagen