Can “Dor to Dor+Rec Neurorrhaphy” by Biodegradable Chitin Conduit Be A New Method for Peripheral Nerve Injury?

Abstract

This study aims to estimate the effects of using one donor nerve to repair the injured nerve and itself simultaneously by biodegradable chitin conduit. Proximal median nerve served as donor nerve to repair the distal median and whole ulnar nerve. Four months postoperation, the number of myelinated axons and nerve conduction velocities of the distal median and ulnar nerve were (2085 ± 215 and 24.4 ± 5.9 m/s), and (1193 ± 102 and 30.7 ± 11.2 m/s). Recovery of the tetanic muscle forces of the reinvervated muscles were also observed. It suggests that Dor to Dor+Rec neurorrhaphy is a practical method for severe peripheral nerve injury.

Keywords::

• peripheral nerve
• injury
• reconstruction
• neurorrhaphy

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This work was supported by a grant from Chinese National 863 Project (No.2002AA205071), National Natural Science Fund of China (No. 30271306), New Teacher Fund (No. 801985) and the Chinese National Natural Science Fund for the Outstanding Youth (No. 30625036).

Declaration of interest: This work was supported by Chinese National Natural Science Fund for Outstanding Youth (30625036), Chinese 973 Project Planning (2005CB522604), Chinese National Natural Science Youth Fund (30801169), Chinese National Natural Science Fund (30971526), Chinese New Teacher Fund (200800011102).