Autologous tendons used as grafts for bridging peripheral nerve defects

This study was performed to investigate whether autologous collagen and oth er extracellular matrix components could be used in nerve repair by bridgin g a 10 mm defect in the rat sciatic nerve. Three models of repair were exam ined, In the first model, a rat tail tendon nas teased and subsequently rop ed to form a loose collagen roll which was sutured over the defect. In the second model, an intact tendon,vas used. In the third model, a teased tendo n nas pretreated,vith attachment of nerve segments to each end for 4 weeks before grafting. Both teased and intact tendons supported regeneration, to some extent. Pretreatment resulted in migration of Schwann cells into the g raft, and enhanced regeneration.