Enhancement of Nerve Regeneration and Orientation across a Gap with a Nerve Graft within a Vein Conduit Graft: A Functional, Stereological, and Electrophysiological Study

Abstract

In this study, the right sciatic nerves of 40 rats were used to determine whether a nerve graft within a vein graft might accelerate and facilitate axonal regeneration, compared with a nerve graft alone. The animals were separated into four groups, as follows: group 1, sham control; group 2 (control), segmental nerve resection and no repair; group 3, segmental nerve resection and nerve grafting; group 4, segmental nerve resection and reconstruction with a nerve graft within a vein conduit graft. For all groups, sciatic functional indices were calculated before the operation and on postoperative days 7 and 90. On postoperative day 90, the sciatic nerves were reexposed and nerve conduction velocities were recorded. The sciatic nerves were harvested from all groups for counting of the myelinated axons with a stereological method. No statistically significant differences with respect to return of gait function, axon count, or nerve conduction were noted between groups 3 and 4 (p > 0.05). However, functional recovery in group 4 on postoperative day 90 was significant, compared with group 2 (p < 0.05); the recovery difference between groups 2 and 3 was not significant (p > 0.05). This study was not able to demonstrate any functional benefits with the use of a nerve graft within a vein graft, compared with standard nerve grafting.

Secondary nerve reconstruction using vein conduit grafts for neglected digital nerve injuries

“…In many of the previous animal studies, scar tissue was not found in vein conduit grafts. [10][11][12] Previous animal studies demonstrated regeneration of nerve fascicles through the vein conduit. 10,12,13 Electrophysiological studies also showed propagation of action potentials through the vein graft.…”

La réparation de pertes de substance des nerves digitaux avec la technique de la greffe veineuse plus interposition de tissu nerveux. Étude prospective et randomisée

“…Dans ces cas, la reconstruction au moyen de greffe ou procédure assimilée a de meilleurs résultats [3] et représente une option fiable et préférée par la plupart des chirurgiens [4,5].…”

A Biological Tube Technique For The Repair Of Peripheral Nerve Defects Using ‘Stuffed Nerves’

“…[17] Alternatively, Sahin et al created 1-cm defect on rat's tibial nerve and repaired it with minced nerve tissue in vein graft [23] and then placed 1 of the 3 equal-sized pieces of nerve graft into vein graft. Although they did not report details of their mincing process, subsequent outcomes were similar to those achieved with autogenous nerve grafts.…”

“…[14][15][16] Most successful vein graft repairs are observed in defects less than 3 cm in length. [14] Previous studies have demonstrated utility of filling inside of vein graft with nerve [17] or muscle…”