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J Reconstr Microsurg 2002; 18(4): 295-300
DOI: 10.1055/s-2002-30186
Copyright © 2002 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc., 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA. Tel.: +1(212) 584-4662

Autogenous Venous Graft with One-Stage Prepared Schwann Cells as a Conduit for Repair of Long Segmental Nerve Defects

Feng Zhang2 , Brantley Blain2 , Joel Beck2 , Jian Zhang1 , Zhengrong Chen1 , Zhong-wei Chen1 , William C. Lineaweaver2
  • 1Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Zhong Shan Hospital, Shanghai Medical University, Shanghai, China
  • 2Division of Plastic Surgery, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS
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Publication History

Publication Date:
17 May 2002 (online)

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ABSTRACT

The use of autogenous venous graft with intraluminal injection of Schwann cells to enhance nerve regeneration of long segmental nerve defects was evaluated in a rabbit tibial nerve-repair model. Schwann cells were isolated from the excised rabbit tibial nerve by using the polylysine differential adhesion method. The cultured cells were identified by immunocytochemical labeling for S-100 protein. Tibial nerve defects in 4-cm segments were created in 24 animals, which were then divided into three groups. In Group 1, the tibial nerve defect was repaired with interposition vein graft alone; in Group 2, the nerve defect was repaired with a vein graft with intraluminal injection of Schwann-cell suspension; in Group 3, the nerve defect was repaired by autogenous nerve graft alone. At 2 months postoperatively, electrophysiologic evaluation showed that an evoked muscle action potential was recorded for the animals in Group 2, with vein grafting plus Schwann cells, and for those in Group 3, with autogenous nerve grafting, but not for those in Group 1, where vein grafting alone was used. The average motor nerve conduction velocity in the group with vein grafting and Schwann cells was 3.4 ± 1.5 m/sec, which was slower than the nerve grafting group (7.8 ± 1.8 m/sec). Histologic analysis confirmed there was formation of new nerve fascicles with myelination in the vein graft filled with Schwann cells. No nerve regrowth was found in the vein grafts without Schwann cells. These results suggested that isolated Schwann cells are able to survive in a vein graft, and that the vein graft with intraluminal seeded Schwann cells could be an alternative for repairing injured nerves with long gaps.

KEYWORDS

Autogenous vein graft - injected Schwann cells - enhanced nerve regeneration - experimental

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