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J Reconstr Microsurg 1998; 14(5): 355-358
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-1000190
ORIGINAL ARTICLE

© 1998 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc.

Assessment of Intraneural Oxygen Tension and Blood Flow in a Mobilized Peripheral‐Nerve Model

Mary K. Gingrass, Daniel D. Lozano, Richard E. Brown, Linda L. Stephenson, William A. Zamboni
  • Division of Plastic Surgery, University of Nevada School of Medicine, Las Vegas; Institute for Plastic Surgery, Baptist Hospital, Nashville, Tennessee; and Institute for Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Springfield
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Publication History

Accepted for publication 1998

Publication Date:
08 March 2008 (online)

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ABSTRACT

Extensive mobilization of injured peripheral nerves is often required to allow a tension-free repair. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of surgical mobilization and division on intraneural blood flow and oxygen tension in a rat sciatic nerve model. The right and left sciatic nerves were exposed in male Lewis rats. Four experimental groups were studied: 1) nerve in situ/intact (n=7); 2) nerve mobilized and intact (n=7); 3) nerve in situ/divided (n=7); and 4) nerve mobilized and divided (n=7). Intraneural oxygen tension and blood flow were measured postoperatively.

Mean oxygen tension (mmHg) in mobilized/intact nerves (17.47 ± 4.79) was significantly lower than in in situ/intact nerves (38.32 ± 5.16) [p < 0.05]. Mean oxygen tension in mobilized/divided nerves (3.10 ± 1.25) was significantly lower than in in situ/divided nerves (30.30 ± 6.36) [p < 0.005]. Laser Doppler flow (ml/min/100 g) in mobilized divided nerves (11.31 ± 1.81) was significantly lower than in in situ/divided nerves (25.60 ± 3.31) [p < 0.05]. Laser Doppler flow in mobilized/intact nerves was not statistically significantly different from in situ/intact nerves.

Mobilization of the extrinsic blood supply was shown to significantly lower intraneural oxygen tension and laser Doppler flow in mobilized intact and divided rat peripheral nerves.