Regeneration in vascularized and free nerve grafts. A comparative morphological study in rats

The regeneration of vascularized nerve grafts was compared with conventional free "cable" grafts. For the creation of a vascularized femoral nerve graft in the rat an arteriovenous fistula was constructed to overcome blood flow problems. The histo-morphological results showed better and more rapid regeneration in the group with a vascular pedicle. The arteriovenous fistulae were all patent even after five months.