[The evolution of a contusion focus after the microsurgical autotransplantation of the omentum (an experimental...

The purpose of treatment of head trauma cannot be limited by simple life saving, it also should be targeted at the improvement of the quality of life. Twenty dogs with graded local head trauma underwent microsurgical revascularization of the area adjacent to the contused brain with an autologous omental graft to provide functional improvement. The effectiveness of surgery was demonstrated in series of 5 experiments when the operation was performed on posttraumatic days 7-14, with the follow-up of as long as 180 days. After the procedure, no macroscopic signs of contusion could be demonstrated. Microscopically the contused area resembled a slit two times smaller than in controls. Microscopic and histochemical studies revealed both the morphologic recovery and an improvement in cellular enzyme activity. The data obtained adds some more information regarding clinical applications of microsurgical revascularization technique.