TY - JOUR
T1 - Effect of nerve graft porosity on the refractory period of regenerating nerve fibers
T2 - Laboratory investigation
AU - Vleggeert-Lankamp, Carmen L.A.M.
AU - Wolfs, Jasper
AU - Pêgo, Ana Paula
AU - van den Berg, Rutgeris
AU - Feirabend, Hans
AU - Lakke, Egbert
PY - 2008/8/1
Y1 - 2008/8/1
N2 - Object: In the present study the authors consider the influence of the porosity of synthetic nerve grafts on peripheral nerve regeneration.Methods: Microporous (1-13 μm) and nonporous nerve grafts made of a copolymer of trimethylene carbonate and ε-caprolactone were tested in an animal model. Twelve weeks after surgery, nerve and muscle morphological and electrophysiological results of regenerated nerves that had grown through the synthetic nerve grafts were compared with autografted and untreated (control) sciatic nerves. Based on the observed changes in the number and diameter of the nerve fibers, the predicted values of the electrophysiological parameters were calculated.Results: The values of the morphometric parameters of the peroneal nerves and the gastrocnemius and anterior tibial muscles were similar if not equal in the rats receiving synthetic nerve grafts. The refractory periods, however, were shorter in porous compared with nonporous grafted nerves, and thus were closer to control values.Conclusions: A shorter refractory period enables the axon to follow the firing frequency of the neuron more effectively and allows a more adequate target organ stimulation. Therefore, porous are preferred over nonporous nerve grafts.
AB - Object: In the present study the authors consider the influence of the porosity of synthetic nerve grafts on peripheral nerve regeneration.Methods: Microporous (1-13 μm) and nonporous nerve grafts made of a copolymer of trimethylene carbonate and ε-caprolactone were tested in an animal model. Twelve weeks after surgery, nerve and muscle morphological and electrophysiological results of regenerated nerves that had grown through the synthetic nerve grafts were compared with autografted and untreated (control) sciatic nerves. Based on the observed changes in the number and diameter of the nerve fibers, the predicted values of the electrophysiological parameters were calculated.Results: The values of the morphometric parameters of the peroneal nerves and the gastrocnemius and anterior tibial muscles were similar if not equal in the rats receiving synthetic nerve grafts. The refractory periods, however, were shorter in porous compared with nonporous grafted nerves, and thus were closer to control values.Conclusions: A shorter refractory period enables the axon to follow the firing frequency of the neuron more effectively and allows a more adequate target organ stimulation. Therefore, porous are preferred over nonporous nerve grafts.
KW - Electrophysiological study
KW - Ion channel
KW - Muscle morphology
KW - Nerve graft porosity
KW - Nerve regeneration
KW - Rat
KW - Synthetic nerve graft
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=51449083999&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.3171/JNS/2008/109/8/0294
DO - 10.3171/JNS/2008/109/8/0294
M3 - Article
C2 - 18671643
AN - SCOPUS:51449083999
SN - 0022-3085
VL - 109
SP - 294
EP - 305
JO - Journal of Neurosurgery
JF - Journal of Neurosurgery
IS - 2
ER -