PERIPHERAL-NERVE RECONSTRUCTION USING FREEZE-THAWED MUSCLE GRAFTS - ACOMPARISON WITH GROUP FASCICULAR NERVE GRAFTS IN A LARGE ANIMAL-MODEL

There is evidence to suggest that the 'freeze-thawed muscle graft' may function as an alternative to established methods of nerve reconstruc tion. Using a large animal model we compared this method with group fa scicular nerve grafting in peripheral nerve reconstruction. We excised a 3 cm segment of right median nerve in 10 anaesthetized sheep. The r esulting gaps were repaired with either group fascicular cable grafts (GFCGs) or freeze-thawed muscle grafts (FTMGs). After six months the r ight (grafted) and left (control) median nerves of each sheep were exp osed and assessed for nerve blood flow, nerve conduction velocity and morphological indices of recovery. Nerve blood now was reduced by 40% in those repaired with FTMGs. All the repaired nerves contained a popu lation of significantly smaller nerve fibres and displayed a reduced p eak nerve conduction velocity. Those repaired with FTMGs (mean velocit y 30.96 m/s) had a peak velocity significantly faster than the GFCG gr oup (mean 13.16 m/s). This study shows that peripheral nerve reconstru ction with freeze-thawed muscle grafts compares well with repair using nerve grafts.