title: Autologous nerve graft repair of different degrees of sciatic nerve defect: stress and displacement at the anastomosis in a three-dimensional fnite element simulation model.
abstract: In the repair of peripheral nerve injury using autologous or synthetic nerve grafting, the magnitude of tensile forces at the anastomosis affects its response to physiological stress and the ultimate success of the treatment. One-dimensional stretching is commonly used to measure changes in tensile stress and strain; however, the accuracy of this simple method is limited. Therefore, in the present study, we established three-dimensional finite element models of sciatic nerve defects repaired by autologous nerve grafts. Using PRO E 5.0 finite element simulation software, we calculated the maximum stress and displacement of an anastomosis under a 5 N load in 10-, 20-, 30-, 40-mm long autologous nerve grafts. We found that maximum displacement increased with graft length, consistent with specimen force. These findings indicate that three-dimensional finite element simulation is a feasible method for analyzing stress and displacement at the anastomosis after autologous nerve grafting.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics, Second Hospital, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin Province, China.
authors.forename: Cheng-Dong
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Piao
authors.affiliation: Basic Department, Air Force Aviation University of Chinese PLA, Changchun, Jilin Province, China.
authors.forename: Kun
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: Department of Engineering Mechanics, Nanling Campus, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin Province, China.
authors.forename: Peng
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Pain, China-Japan Union Hospital, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin Province, China.
authors.forename: Min
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Luo
keywords: autologous nerve grafting; displacement; epineurial suturing; load; nerve regeneration; neural regeneration; sciatic nerve injury; stress; three-dimensional finite element models