J Korean Orthop Assoc.  2001 Feb;36(1):17-24.

The study of nerve regeneration with infiltration of normal saline and nerve growth factor after vein graft to the resected sciatic nerve

• Lee KS
• Shim JH
• Kim TH
• Ju SD

Abstract

PURPOSE
To compare the effect of nerve regeneration with infiltration of normal saline and nerve growth factor after vein graft to the resected sciatic nerve of rat.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Eighty Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into five experimental groups: orthotopic nerve graft as control group, inside-in vein graft with normal saline infiltration, inside-out vein graft with normal saline infiltration, inside-in vein graft with nerve growth factor infiltration and inside-out vein graft with nerve growth factor infiltration group. Animals of each group were sacrificed after electromyography at 2, 4, 8 and 12 weeks after operation. Also the light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy were performed to observe histologic change of grafted sites.
RESULTS
This study demonstrates that autogenous vein graft serves as a conduit for nerve regeneration, and inside-out vein graft technique and nerve growth factor induce faster and more numerous axonal regeneration and earlier recovery of muscle power.
CONCLUSION
Inside-out vein graft with nerve growth factor infiltration is supposed to be a promising technique to take the place of autogenous nerve graft.

Keyword

Defect of nerve; inside-out vein graft; nerve growth factor

MeSH Terms

Animals
Axons
Electromyography
Microscopy
Microscopy, Electron, Transmission
Nerve Growth Factor*
Nerve Regeneration*
Rats
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
Regeneration
Sciatic Nerve*
Transplants*
Veins*
Nerve Growth Factor