Faculty Collaboration Database

Repair of the musculocutaneous nerve using the vagus nerve as donor by helicoid end-to-side technique: an experimental study in rats. J Neurosci Res 2017 Dec;95(12):2493-2499

Date

05/04/2017

Pubmed ID

28467619

DOI

10.1002/jnr.24074

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-85018748720 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   5 Citations

Abstract

Although several donor nerves can be chosen to repair avulsed brachial plexus nerve injury, available nerves are still limited. The purpose of this study is to validate whether the vagus nerve (VN) can be used as a donor. Eighteen Sprague-Dawley male rats were divided into three groups (n = 6). The right musculocutaneous nerve (McN) was transected with differing subsequent repair. (1) HS-VN group: a saphenous nerve (SN) graft-end was helicoidally wrapped round the VN side (epi-and perineurium was opened) with a 30 ° angle, distal SN end was coapted to the McN with end-to-end repair. (2) EE-PN group: a SN was interpositionally grafted between the transected phrenic nerve (PN) and the McN by end-to-end coaptation. (3) Sham control group: McN was transected and not repaired and postoperative vital signs were checked daily. At three months, electrophysiology, tetanic force, wet biceps muscle weight, and histology were evaluated. Every tested mean value in HS-VN group was significantly greater than the EE-PN or the sham control groups (p < 0.05 or p < 0.005). The mean recovery ratio of regenerated nerve fibers was 96% and, in HS-VN group, the mean recovery ratio of CMAP was 79%. No vital signs changed in any group. There was no statistical difference (p > 0.5) between the mean VN nerve-fiber numbers of the segments proximal (2237 ± 134) and distal (2150 ± 156) to the VN graft-attachment site. Histological analysis revealed no axon injury or intraneural scarring at any point along the VN. This study demonstrated that VN is a practical and reliable donor nerve for end-to-side nerve transfer. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Author List

Yan JG, Shen FY, Thayer J, Yan Y, LoGiudice J, Matloub H, Sanger J, Zhang LL, Havlik R

Authors

Robert Havlik MD Chair, Professor in the Plastic Surgery department at Medical College of Wisconsin
John A. LoGiudice MD Professor in the Plastic Surgery department at Medical College of Wisconsin
Hani S. Matloub MD Professor in the Plastic Surgery department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Animals
Musculocutaneous Nerve
Nerve Regeneration
Nerve Transfer
Rats
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
Vagus Nerve