DETERMINING THE MAXIMAL LENGTH OF A VEIN CONDUIT USED AS AN INTERPOSITION GRAFT FOR NERVE REGENERATION

Although autogenous veins have been used as nerve conduits (AVNCs) bot h experimentally and clinically for short nerve gaps up to 3 cm, inves tigators have not as yet determined the maximal effective length for f unctional nerve regeneration. in addition, the role of the distal nerv e stump on subsequent nerve growth remains unclear. A rabbit peroneal nerve AVNC model was used to study axonal regeneration through nerve g aps of 1 to 6 cm. After allowing ample time for nerve regeneration, cl inical, electophysiologic, and neurohistologic studies were performed to evaluate nerve regrowth and functional muscle reinnervation. Compar isons were made with 6-cm conventional nerve grafts. Excellent growth and function were found with AVNCs up to 3 cm in length, with increasi ng incapacity For regeneration at lengths greater than 3 cm. The dista l nerve stump is believed to play a vital role in nerve regrowth.