[An experimental study on recovery of lacerated muscles after repair]

We often encounter laceration of skeletal muscle in daily clinical practice, but few studies have been reported regarding structural and functional recovery of lacerated muscle after repair. This study used the lateral head of the gastrocnemius muscles of rats to evaluate the sequential healing processes after laceration. Electrophysiological study using a self-designed 8-channel arrayed multielectrode revealed recovery of the electrical conductivity of the muscle itself in all cases 8 weeks after operation. Histological specimens showed gradual regeneration of muscle fibers across the suture site, and in 8 weeks the suture site was filled with muscle fibers. The tension of the muscle also recovered by degrees, reaching 60% of that of the contralateral muscle 6 weeks after operation, but it remained at that level even after 6 months. This study showed the possibility of structural and functional recovery in a reunited muscle.