Autologous Denatured Muscle as a Nerve Graft
Anthony J. DeFranzo, M.D.
Michael J. Morykwas, Ph.D.
James R. LaRosse, B.S.
Debby A. Jennings, B.A.
Venkata Challa, M.D.
Louis C. Argenta, M.D.
This study examined the use of freeze-thawed muscle as a nerve graft material in Sprague-Dawley rats. In Group 1 (n = 4), the sciatic nerve was isolated and the incision immediately closed. In Group 2 (n = 4), a 5-mm segment of the nerve was removed and immediately replaced; in Group 3 (n = 50), 5 mm of nerve was removed and muscle (2 x 2 x 5 mm, harvested from the gluteus, frozen in liquid nitrogen, and thawed in sterile water) was sutured in place. Sciatic functional indices (SFI) were comparable in all groups after 8 weeks. Histologic analysis showed comparable nerve regeneration in Groups 2 and 3 at 4 months. Group 3 grafts exhibited new axonal growth distal to the repaired gap at 4 weeks; myelinated fibers were present at 10 weeks. At 1 year, Group 3 nerves had almost the same axon count as contralateral nerves. This study demonstrates that parallel fiber muscle graft is an effective interpositional nerve graft.
Defranzo AJ, Morykwas MJ, LaRosse JR, Jennings DA, Venkata C, Argenta LC. Autologous denatured muscle as a nerve graft. Journal Reconstructive Microsurgery. Vol 10;(3) 145-149, May 1994
Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Medical Center Boulevard, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, 27157.