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BMC Surgery
Published in: BMC Surgery 1/2013

Open Access 01-12-2013 | Research article

Ventral root re-implantation is better than peripheral nerve transplantation for motoneuron survival and regeneration after spinal root avulsion injury

Authors: Huanxing Su, Qiuju Yuan, Dajiang Qin, Xiaoying Yang, Wai-Man Wong, Kwok-Fai So, Wutian Wu

Published in: BMC Surgery | Issue 1/2013

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Abstract

Background

Peripheral nerve (PN) transplantation and ventral root implantation are the two common types of recovery operations to restore the connection between motoneurons and their target muscles after brachial plexus injury. Despite experience accumulated over the past decade, fundamental knowledge is still lacking concerning the efficacy of the two microsurgical interventions.

Methods

Thirty-eight adult female Sprague–Dawley rats were divided into 5 groups. Immediately following root avulsion, animals in the first group (n = 8) and the second group (n = 8) received PN graft and ventral root implantation respectively. The third group (n = 8) and the fourth group (n = 8) received PN graft and ventral root implantation respectively at one week after root avulsion. The fifth group received root avulsion only as control (n = 6). The survival and axonal regeneration of severed motoneurons were investigated at 6 weeks post-implantation.

Results

Re-implantation of ventral roots, both immediately after root avulsion and in delay, significantly increased the survival and regeneration of motoneurons in the avulsed segment of the spinal cord as compared with PN graft transplantation.

Conclusions

The ventral root re-implantation is a better surgical repairing procedure than PN graft transplantation for brachial plexus injury because of its easier manipulation for re-implanting avulsed ventral roots to the preferred site, less possibility of causing additional damage and better effects on motoneuron survival and axonal regeneration.
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Metadata
Title
Ventral root re-implantation is better than peripheral nerve transplantation for motoneuron survival and regeneration after spinal root avulsion injury
Authors
Huanxing Su
Qiuju Yuan
Dajiang Qin
Xiaoying Yang
Wai-Man Wong
Kwok-Fai So
Wutian Wu
Publication date
01-12-2013
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Surgery / Issue 1/2013
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2482
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2482-13-21

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