ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To study the performance of free nerve graft with vascular implantation. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Three groups of rats were used. A 10 mm nerve defect was made in the sciatic nerve. It was repaired respectively with vascularised nerve graft (VNG), free nerve graft with vascular implantation (NGV) or free nerve graft (NG). Before 30 days the revascularisation of the nerve graft was assessed; at 2 to 3 month regeneration of nerve was evaluated. Histochemical staining, vascular morphology and electrophysiological examination were undertaken. RESULT AND CONCLUSION: The number of regenerated blood vessels in VNG and NGV was significantly increased than that in NG before 30 days. The ratio of regenerated nerve fiber area and conduction velocity in the first two groups were much better than those in NG at 2 to 3 months.
