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A functional evaluation of cryopreserved peripheral nerve autografts
1Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut.
Journal of Reconstructive Microsurgery
|July 1, 1990
Summary
Frozen nerve grafts treated with dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) show comparable functional recovery to fresh nerve grafts for rat sciatic nerve repair. Cryopreserved nerve grafts offer a viable alternative to fresh grafts, improving outcomes over untreated frozen grafts.
Area of Science:
- Regenerative Medicine
- Neurosurgery
- Biomaterials Science
Background:
- Peripheral nerve injuries are a significant clinical challenge, often requiring nerve grafting for repair.
- Autologous nerve grafts are the gold standard but have limitations, including donor site morbidity and limited availability.
- Cryopreservation of allografts offers a potential solution, but requires effective cryoprotective agents to maintain graft viability and function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the efficacy of fresh nerve grafts versus cryopreserved nerve grafts (with or without dimethyl sulfoxide [DMSO]) in repairing a 2.0-cm rat sciatic nerve defect.
- To evaluate the functional, biochemical, and histological recovery following different nerve grafting strategies.
Main Methods:
- Sciatic nerve defects in rats were repaired using fresh nerve grafts, DMSO-treated frozen nerve grafts, untreated frozen nerve grafts, or left ungrafted (gap control).
- Functional recovery was assessed via hind-limb joint contractures.
- Biochemical analysis (muscle hydroxyproline concentration) and histological examination (axonal counts, fiber density) were performed.
Main Results:
- Hind-limb contractures were significantly reduced in both fresh nerve graft and DMSO-treated cryopreserved graft groups compared to untreated frozen grafts and gap controls (p < 0.01).
- Tibialis anterior muscle-weight ratio and muscle-hydroxyproline-concentration ratio indicated superior neurological recovery in fresh and DMSO-treated cryopreserved groups versus untreated frozen and gap control groups.
- No significant difference in functional recovery was observed between fresh nerve grafts and DMSO-treated cryopreserved grafts.
Conclusions:
- Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) cryopreservation is an effective method for preserving nerve graft viability and function.
- DMSO-treated cryopreserved nerve grafts provide functional recovery comparable to fresh nerve grafts for sciatic nerve repair in rats.
- Cryopreserved nerve grafts represent a promising alternative to autologous grafts, potentially overcoming limitations of availability and donor site morbidity.