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Updated: Aug 18, 2026
Combining Peripheral Nerve Grafting and Matrix Modulation to Repair the Injured Rat Spinal Cord
Published on: November 21, 2009
Functional assessment of sciatic nerve reconstruction: biodegradable poly (DLLA-epsilon-CL) nerve guides versus
M F Meek1, J R Dijkstra, W F Den Dunnen
1Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, University Hospital Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
Abstract:
The aim of this study was to compare functional nerve recovery after reconstruction with a biodegradable p(DLLA-epsilon-CL) nerve guide filled with modified denatured muscle tissue (MDMT), or an autologous nerve graft. We evaluated nerve recovery using walking track analysis (measurement of the sciatic function index [SFI]) and electrostimulation tests. Functional nerve recovery after reconstruction with a biodegradable p(DLLA-epsilon-CL) nerve guide filled with MDMT was faster when compared with nerve reconstruction using an autologous nerve graft. We conclude that in case of a short nerve gap in the rat, reconstruction can best be carried out using a p(DLLA-epsilon-CL) biodegradable nerve guide filled with MDMT.
