Autologous tendons used as grafts for bridging peripheral nerve defects

This study was performed to investigate whether autologous collagen and other extracellular matrix components could be used in nerve repair by bridging a 10 mm defect in the rat sciatic nerve. Three models of repair were examined. In the first model, a rat tail tendon was teased and subsequently rolled to form a loose collagen roll which was sutured over the defect. In the second model, an intact tendon was used. In the third model, a teased tendon was pretreated with attachment of nerve segments to each end for 4 weeks before grafting. Both teased and intact tendons supported regeneration, to some extent. Pretreatment resulted in migration of Schwann cells into the graft, and enhanced regeneration.