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J Reconstr Microsurg 2005; 21(4): 243-249
DOI: 10.1055/s-2005-871751
Copyright © 2005 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc., 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Regeneration through Nerve Isografts is Independent of Nerve Geometry

David H. Kawamura1 , Tessa A. Hadlock2 , Ida K. Fox1 , Michael J. Brenner3 , Daniel A. Hunter1 , Susan E. Mackinnon1
  • 1Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO
  • 2Department of Otolaryngology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Boston, MA
  • 3Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO
Further Information

Publication History

Accepted: January 3, 2005

Publication Date:
21 June 2005 (online)

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ABSTRACT

Investigators have theorized that tortuosity in nerve grafts may adversely affect nerve regeneration. This study investigated the effect of graft configuration and redundancy on regeneration across 2.5-cm rat sciatic nerve isografts. Thirty-two Lewis rats were randomized to four nerve grafting groups defined by gap distance and isograft conformation. In Group 1, grafts were interposed into a 2-cm gap, resulting in mild graft redundancy. In Groups 2 and 3, grafts were tacked in sinusoidal or omega-shaped configurations, respectively, to bridge a 0.5‐cm gap. In Group 4, grafts were interposed after 1 cm of native sciatic nerve was resected, resulting in no graft redundancy and an interstump distance of 2.5 cm. At 6 weeks, nerve tissue was harvested; subsequent histomorphometric analysis revealed no significant differences in regeneration between groups. These data suggest that regeneration through isografts is independent of the graft geometry and redundancy.

KEYWORDS

Peripheral nerve - graft configuration - nerve regeneration

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Susan E MackinnonM.D. 

Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery

Washington University School of Medicine, Box 8238, 660 South Euclid Street

St. Louis, MO 63110

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