[Repair method and healing of skeletal muscle injury]

This study used m.anterior tibialis of rabbits to document recovery after laceration and repair after a healing period of 12 weeks. Postoperation care were divided into three groups: cast immobilization one or four weeks, and free activity. There were three different methods used to repair muscles including simple suture with Dexon 2-0, modified Kessler with 1/4 width of mersiline 5-0 and simple suture with tendon graft. Physiologic recovery including tension force and muscle contracture length had been tested. Histologic recovery including H & E and ATPase stains had been examined. The recovery of tension force was influenced by immobilization time, not by suture method. The best recovery of tension force was resulted from postoperation care with free activity. The result of shortening length of muscle was according to different suture methods and had no relation with immobilization time. Modified Kessler suture resulted in the best muscle contracture length. The method of modified Kessler suture without immobilization was recommended for management of lacerated muscle.