Neuronal survival using a resorbable synthetic conduit as an alternative to primary nerve repair

• Published in: Microsurgery 1999, Vol.19 (6), p.259-264
• Main Authors: Ljungberg, C., Johansson-Ruden, G., Boström, K. Junemo, Novikov, L., Wiberg, M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Absorbable Implants; Animals; Biological and medical sciences; Cats; Cell Count; Cranial nerves. Peripheral nerves. Autonomic nervous system; Female; Ganglia, Spinal - cytology; Hydroxybutyrates; Medical sciences; Neurons; Neurosurgery; Orthopedic surgery; Polyesters; Radial Nerve - injuries; Radial Nerve - surgery; Surgery (general aspects). Transplantations, organ and tissue grafts. Graft diseases; Suture Techniques
• ISSN: 0738-1085; 1098-2752
• DOI: 10.1002/(SICI)1098-2752(1999)19:6<259::AID-MICR1>3.0.CO;2-Q

Clinically optimal situations for primary nerve repair are rarely observed. Crushed nerve ends result in either suboptimal repair or a need for nerve grafting. Functional results after nerve surgery are relatively poor, including major sensory deficits, which may be due to the death of primary sensory neurons that follows the nerve injury. The aim of this study was to determine if using polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), a resorbable nerve conduit, could be an alternative to primary nerve repair in reducing loss of neurons. The superficial radial nerves in 20 cats were sectioned bilaterally and primarily repaired microsurgically by the use of two different strategies; either wrapping the nerve ends in sheets of PHB or epineurally suturing of the nerve. After 6 or 12 months, the surviving neurons within the dorsal root ganglia [C5–T1] were counted. No statistically significant differences were found between the two methods. This may imply a future possibility of using PHB as a synthetic nerve graft in situations where suboptimal primary repair or nerve grafts are the alternatives. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. MICROSURGERY 19:259–264 1999