Vascularized versus Nonvascularized Nerve Grafts: An Experimental Structural Comparison

Abstract

This study compared the success of nerve regeneration through conventional nonvascularized and vascularized nerve grafts in the sciatic nerve of rats. The number or size of regenerated axons between the two grafts was not significantly different. In addition, the ratio of axonal diameter to total diameter of the nerve, a measurement linearly related to conduction velocity, was not significantly different in the two groups. Thicker myelin sheaths were found around axons in the nonvascularized nerve grafts.