The Use of Preoperative Muscle Denervation and Postoperative Electrostimulation to Maximize Functional Results in Microneurovascular Muscle Transplantation

ABSTRACT

A study of the morphologic and physiologic adaptations of orthotopic microneurovascular gracilis musculocutaneous transplantations was done on dogs, using postoperative electrostimulation or prior denervation, compared to controls. Postoperative electrostimulation helped preserve enzyme activity at muscle synapses. Prior denervation demonstrated the enhancement of nerve-fiber penetration into the transplanted muscle, producing better restoration of transplant contraction than in controls. These techniques maximize the functional results of dynamic gracilis musculocutaneous microneurovascular transplantation in the dog model.