Functional assessment of misdirected axon growth after nerve repair in the rat.

Age, late repair, loss of nerve tissue, tension, and other factors are now known to influence axon regeneration and the quality of recovery after nerve repair. Many of the factors cannot be controlled by surgery. However, a few important ones depend on surgical technique, and some could be minimized, e.g., suture with tension, scarring due to foreign material, and misdirected axon growth. In this study, the authors tried to assess the functional consequences of misdirected axon growth in the sciatic nerve of the rat. They used a strainless coaptation nerve-repair technique with bioabsorbable plate support (polylactic acid), permitting them to study only the consequences of misdirected axon growth, without tension or suture in the area of nerve repair. Sixty rats were divided into three groups. In Group 1, 20 sciatic nerves were repaired without rotation of the distal nerve stump. In Group 2, 20 sciatic nerves were repaired with a 90-degree rotation of the distal nerve stump. In Group 3, 20 sciatic nerves were repaired with a 180-degree rotation of the distal nerve stump. Functional analyses were performed with the sciatic functional index. The results showed the poor consequences of incorrect nerve-end alignment in nerve repair (p < 0.05). Nerve repair with bioabsorbable plate support is known to allow good stump coaptation, without tension and without foreign material. The authors suggest an adaptation or modification of this technique, which might minimize misdirected axon growth, one of the factors whose effects can be mitigated by surgical technique.

The computerized diagnostic radiology department: update 1982.

The small digital computer is becoming ever more powerful, reliable, and inexpensive. Diagnostic radiology and the computer are becoming more intertwined. During the past decade, computed tomography (CT) has achieved outstanding success. CT and other digital image systems that are capable of computer manipulation, storage, and viewing are becoming more numerous. Of increasing importance are the new and maturing reporting and operations/management systems. The many facets of newer computer and diagnostic radiology developments are discussed, and a model is presented here that integrates all applications into a single system. Many benefits in improved patient care and general operations of the department would result from its implementation. Some elements of this model exist now and can be installed with relatively little effort. Development of the entire model is within the state of current technology. A number of trends suggest that diagnostic radiology is becoming more ready to use such a model.