Neuronal survival using a resorbable synthetic conduit as an alternative to primary nerve repair

Clinically optimal situations for primary nerve repair are rarely observed. Crushed nerve ends result in either suboptimal repair or a need for nerve grafting, Functional results after nerve surgery are relatively poor, inclu ding major sensory deficits, which may be due to the death of primary senso ry neurons that follows the nerve injury. The aim of this study was to dete rmine if using polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), a resorbable nerve conduit. could be an alternative to primary nerve repair in reducing loss of neurons. The superficial radial nerves in 20 cats were sectioned bilaterally and primar ily repaired microsurgically by the use of two different strategies; either wrapping the nerve ends in sheets of PHB or epineurally suturing of the ne rve. After 6 or 12 months, the surviving neurons within the dorsal root gan glia [C5-T1] were counted. No statistically significant differences were fo und between the two methods. This may imply a future possibility of using P HB as a synthetic nerve graft in situations where suboptimal primary repair or nerve grafts are the alternatives. (C) 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.