The purpose of this study was to investigate the nerve degeneration and regeneration following allogenic nerve repair in the sciatic nerves of rabbits. For this study, 20 rabbits were used, weighing about 2.0kg. Of 20 rabbits, 12 rabbits were
used
for
experimental group, 6 rabbits for nerve donors and 2 rabbits for control group. Nerve defects were made by resection of 10mm long segment of the left sciatic nerve in rabbits. And they were repaired by allogenic nerve graft using epineural suture
with
8-0 nylon under microscopic field. At the postoperative 1, 2, 4, 8, and 12 week after repair, electrophysiologic study was performed and then the rabbits were sacrificed for histologic study.
@ES The results were as follows;
@EN 1. In macroscopic observation, signs of infection and muscle atrophy were observed in the all experimental groups from 2 week after repair.
2. In electrophysiologic examinations, the threshold intensity and the conduction velocity in the repaired sciatic nerve were not recorded in all experimental groups.
3. In histologic examinations, the degree of Wallerian degeneration of the nerve fiber was the most severe at 2 week after repair and the degree of degeneration was reduced, with the lapse of time. But, some degenerative change was still
observed
at
the postoperative 12 week.
4. At the postoperative 12 week, the degree of degeneration of axon and myelin sheath was reduced compared to that at the postoperative 1, 2, 4, 8 week and proliferation of schwann cells and regeneration of axons were noted.
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