Anatomical study of the nerve regeneration after selective neurectomy in the rabbit: clinical application for esthetic calf reduction

Abstract

The purposes of this study were therefore to characterize the degeneration and regeneration of nerves to the calf muscles after selective neurectomy, both macroscopically and microscopically, and to determine the incidence of such regeneration in a rabbit model. Seventy four New Zealand white rabbits were used. Selective neurectomy to the triceps surae muscles was performed, and the muscles were subsequently harvested and weighed 1-4 months postneurectomy. The gastrocnemius muscles were stained with Sihler's solution to enable the macroscopic observation of any nerve regeneration that may have occurred subsequent to neurectomy. The change in triceps surae muscle weight was measured along the time course of the experiment. After neurectomy, nerve degeneration was followed by regeneration in all cases. The weight of the triceps surae muscle decreased dramatically between completion of the neurectomy and 1 month postneurectomy, but increased thereafter. The nerve branches were weakly stained with Sihler's solution until 2 months postneurectomy, and then strongly stained after 3 months. The number of myelinated axons was decreased at 2 month after neurectomy compared to nonneurectomized controls, but then gradually increased thereafter. Although there are currently no reports on the incidence of recovery after calf reduction, it may be a very common occurrence in the clinical field based on our findings. The findings of this study provide fundamental anatomical and surgical information to aid planning and practice in calf-reduction surgery.

Interleaved intramuscular stimulation with minimally overlapping electrodes evokes smooth and fatigue resistant forces

“…The hamstring fascia was then cut to gain access to the medial gastrocnemius (MG) muscle. The MG was the muscle of choice because: 1) its intramuscular innervation pattern is known [38], 2) it has a relatively simple as well as easily accessible extra-muscular nerve supply, and 3) it is a mixed fiber type muscle. Multisite stimulation in a heterogeneous muscle, like the MG, is expected to produce more ripple than if a homogeneous muscle was used, such as the soleus.…”

“…Following the protocol outlined in [38], at the conclusion of the experiment, rabbits were euthanized with an overdose of sodium pentobarbital (120 mg kg −1 ) and the MG muscle along with the intramuscular electrodes remaining in situ were excised and immediately fixed in 10% formalin for one month. Thereafter, muscles were then depigmented by maceration in a solution of 3% potassium hydroxide and 3% hydrogen peroxide (0.04 ml of H 2 O 2 per 100 ml of KOH) for four weeks.…”