J Reconstr Microsurg 1985; 2(1): 33-43
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-1007043
ORIGINAL ARTICLE

© 1985 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc.

Time Course of Alterations in Muscle Transfers with Microneurovascular Anastomoses

An Experimental Study in the Rectus Femoris Muscle of the RabbitManfred Frey1 , Helmut Gruber2 , Gregor Stransky2 , Michael Havel1
  • 1Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Second Surgical University Clinic of Vienna, Austria
  • 2Institute of Anatomy, University of Vienna, Austria
Further Information

Publication History

Accepted for publication 1985

Publication Date:
08 March 2008 (online)

ABSTRACT

The time course of alterations in muscle transfers with microneurovascular anastomoses was studied in 17 rabbits. The left rectus femoris muscle was transferred to the right side. For comparison, in some animals the right rectus femoris muscle was transferred from the right to the left side, but without vascular repair.

Two, seven, 14, 21, and 30 days after transfer, the electric excitability, macroscopic appearance, histology, histochemistry, ultrastructure, and activity of muscle enzymes were assessed. In the transfers with microneurovascular anastomoses, almost all muscle fibers survived. Alterations were limited to those typical of a denervation-reinnervation process. Contrary to this, only a few atrophic fibers survived in the periphery of the transfers without vascular repair. By far, the greater central part underwent necrosis. A considerable amount of connective tissue developed

These results clearly show the functional superiority of microsurgically vascularized muscle transfers over those without vascular anastomoses. Excellent functional recovery is possible because the process of complete degeneration and consecutive regeneration, with inevitable augmentation of connective tissue, is prevented by the performance of vascular anastomoses.