Experimental studies on masseter muscle grafts in rats: comparison of donor muscles

Experimental studies were performed in rats to explore the feasibility of using limb muscles to replace masticatory masseter muscles. The results showed that if several small fusiform muscles such as the extensor digitorum longus (EDL), soleus (SOL) and plantaris (PLT) were used for the grafting, the graft regenerated and matured fully in the masseter bed, although the weights were lower than those of contralateral control masseter muscles. If a multipennate muscle such as the gastrocnemius was used for the grafting, the graft also regenerated but later degenerated due to the lack of innervation. This is probably due to the excessive amount of connective tissue in the multipennate muscle. The connective tissue proliferates faster than the regeneration of muscle fibres and, thus, renders the innervation of muscle fibres difficult. Other factors pertinent to the possible clinical application of muscle transplantation in oral region are discussed.