title: Experimental nerve transfer model in the rat forelimb.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Nerve transfers are a powerful tool in extremity reconstruction, but the neurophysiological effects have not been adequately investigated. As 81 % of nerve injuries and most nerve transfers occur in the upper extremity with its own neurophysiological properties, the standard rat hindlimb model may not be optimal in this paradigm. Here we present an experimental rat forelimb model to investigate nerve transfers.
  
  
  METHODS
  In ten male Sprague-Dawley rats, the ulnar nerve was transferred to the motor branch of long head of the biceps. Sham surgery was performed in five animals (exposure/closure). After 12 weeks of regeneration, muscle force and Bertelli test were performed and evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The nerve transfer successfully reinnervated the long head of the biceps in all animals, as indicated by muscle force and behavioral outcome. No aberrant reinnervation occurred from the original motor source. Muscle force was 2,68 N ± 0.35 for the nerve transfer group and 2,85 N ± 0.39 for the sham group, which was not statically different (p= 0.436). The procedure led to minor functional deficits due to the loss of ulnar nerve function; this, however, could not be quantified with any of the presented measures.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The above-described rat model demonstrated a constant anatomy, suitable for nerve transfers that are accessible to standard neuromuscular analyses and behavioral testing. This model allows the study of both neurophysiologic properties and cognitive motor function after nerve transfers in the upper extremity.
authors.affiliation: CD Laboratory for the Restoration of Extremity Function, Department of Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria ; Division of Biomedical Research, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: K D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Bergmeister
authors.affiliation: CD Laboratory for the Restoration of Extremity Function, Department of Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Aman
authors.affiliation: CD Laboratory for the Restoration of Extremity Function, Department of Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria ; Christian Doppler Laboratory for Restoration of Extremity Function, Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Spitalgasse 23, 1090 Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Riedl
authors.affiliation: CD Laboratory for the Restoration of Extremity Function, Department of Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Manzano-Szalai
authors.affiliation: CD Laboratory for the Restoration of Extremity Function, Department of Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Sporer
authors.affiliation: CD Laboratory for the Restoration of Extremity Function, Department of Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria ; Christian Doppler Laboratory for Restoration of Extremity Function, Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Spitalgasse 23, 1090 Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Salminger
authors.affiliation: CD Laboratory for the Restoration of Extremity Function, Department of Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria ; Christian Doppler Laboratory for Restoration of Extremity Function, Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Spitalgasse 23, 1090 Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: O C
authors.initials: OC
authors.lastname: Aszmann
keywords: Extremity reconstruction; Nerve transfers; Peripheral nerve surgery; Rat nerve transfer model; Targeted muscle reinnervation