Muscle preservation using an implantable electrical system after nerve injury and repair

The value of continuous electrical stimulation of denervated muscles after nerve injury and repair has been clearly shown in a series of laboratory ex periments in three animal models. This experimental background, which showe d improved muscle preservation and better functional results, evolved into a clinical study that included 15 patients with peripheral nerve injuries i n the upper extremities, 3 patients with brachial plexus injuries, and thre e patients with facial nerve paralysis. Improved functional results were ob tained using this implantable system, which were similar to those achieved with the animal experiments. All patients had muscle stimulation for extend ed periods ranging from 127 to 346 days. Analysis of the results showed sat isfactory nerve regeneration on clinical examination and with electromyogra phic studies. Functional muscle analysis varied somewhat from patient to pa tient, but every patient had a satisfactory to excellent recovery. The resu lts from this study have clearly shown the benefits of continuous muscle st imulation using an implantable electrical system after nerve injury and rep air expansion of the project to a larger patient cohort is indicated. (C) 2 001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.