Jm. Xu et al., The effect of wrapping scarred nerves with autogenous vein graft to treat recurrent chronic nerve compression, J HAND S-AM, 25A(1), 2000, pp. 93-103
The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of vein wrapping of
scarred nerves in a chronic nerve compression model in rats. The ultimate
goal was to provide experimental evidence for application of the technique
of vein wrapping of nerves for the treatment of recurrent compressive neuro
pathy. The chronic nerve compression model was created in 100 rats. After 8
months the nerves were decompressed. In 50 rats the nerves were wrapped wi
th an opened femoral vein graft; the remaining 50 animals served as control
s. The sciatic nerves of both groups were evaluated at 4, 8, 12, 24, and 48
weeks after surgery. Functionally, the sciatic nerves in the vein-wrapped
group showed greater improvement than those in the non-vein-wrapped group.
For electrophysiologic testing the latency was significantly shorter in the
vein-wrapped group. Histologic evaluation showed marked nerve degeneration
and scar tissue formation around the nerves in the non-vein-wrapped group
but not in the vein-wrapped group. The results indicate that the vein graft
could improve the recovery of nerve function by protecting the nerve from
surrounding scar and is an effective and feasible technique for the surgica
l treatment of recurrent compressive neuropathy. Copyright (C) 2000 by the
American Society for Surgery of the Hand.