[An effect of the omental wrapping on revascularization and nerve regeneration of the artificial nerve graft].

OBJECTIVE

To explore an effect of the artificial nerve graft wrapped in the pedicled greater omentum on the early revascularization and an effect of the increased blood supply to the artificial nerve graft on the nerve regeneration.

METHODS

Seventy-five rabbits were randomized into 3 groups, in which there were 2 experimental groups where the rabbits were made to abridge respectively with the artificial nerve grafts wrapped in the pedicled greater omentum (Group A) and with the artificial nerve grafts only (Group B), and the control group where the rabbits were abridged with the autologous nerve (Group C). On the 3rd, 7th and 14th days after operation, the evans blue bound to albumin (EBA) was injected into the vessels in all the grafts to show their revascularization. Twelve weeks after operation the nerve regeneration was evaluated with the electrophysiological and histological observations on the serial sections, and was evaluated also with the transmission electron microscope.

RESULTS

The artificial nerve grafts wrapped in the pedicled greater omentum in Group A and the autologous nerve grafts in Group C showed a beginning of revascularization on the 3rd day after operation, and the revascularization was increased on the 7th and 14th days. Compared with Groups A and C, the artificial nerve grafts in Group B showed a delayed revascularization on the 7th day after operation. At 12 weeks after operation, there were no significant differences in the motor never conduction velocity, density of the regenerated myelinated nerve fibers, myelin sheath thickness, and diameter between Group A and Group C (P > 0.05). However, both Group A and Group C were superior to Group B in the above variables, with significant differences (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Utilization of the pedicled greater omentum to wrap the artificial nerve grafts can promote an early revascularization of the artificial nerve graft and an early nerve regeneration of the artificial nerve graft because of an enhanced blood supply to the nerve graft.