Composite PHB-GGF conduit for long nerve gap repair: A long-term evaluation

Pari Naz Mohanna, Giorgio Terenghi, Mikael Wiberg

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    Abstract

    Two to four cm nerve gaps in the rabbit common peroneal nerve were bridged with poly-3-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) conduits containing either glial growth factor (GGF) (PHB-GGF) or alginate matrix (PHB-ALG), and with empty PHB conduit (E-PHB). PHB-GGF significantly increased nerve regeneration up to 63 days following repair of long nerve gaps and the regeneration was sustained long term leading to motor organ reinnervation. At 120 days postoperatively, GGF addition significantly increased the quantity of Schwann cell and axonal regeneration compared to those in control conduits. In PHB-GGF conduits there were more minifascicles of myelinated fibres compared to the controls. The distal nerve of PHB-GGF and E-PHB conduits showed greater regeneration than that of PHB-ALG grafts, although all distal nerves contained fewer myelinated fibres than grafted conduits. Consistently, PHB-GGF conduits significantly reduced the muscle mass percentage loss compared to controls. In conclusion, GGF-containing conduits promoted sustained axonal regeneration and improved target muscle reinnervation. © 2005 Taylor & Francis.
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)129-137
    Number of pages8
    JournalScandinavian Journal of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and Hand Surgery
    Volume39
    Issue number3
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2005

    Keywords

    • Alginate
    • Conduit
    • Glial growth factor
    • Long gap
    • Long term
    • Motor organ reinnervation
    • Nerve repair
    • Peripheral nerve regeneration
    • Poly-3-hydroxybutyrate
    • Schwann cells

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