Ten, fifteen and twenty millimeter nerve defects were produced on both trunks of sciatic nerve in 18 rabbits. The stumps of the nerve were enclosed by a silicon tube in the right hind limb (slilcon group) and the left limbs were free (free group). The proximal and distal nerve stumps in both groups were elongated by using a selfdesigned nerve stretching device, and the nerve were gradually stretched by 1mm, 2mm and 3mm per day respectively. when the expected lengths were achieved, the defects of the nerve were managed by endtoend coaptation. The samples were analysed by electrophysiological examination, and light and electron microscopes. Results were as follows: (1) The nerve defect could be repaired by gradual elongation in rabbits; (2) The results of silicon group were superior to the free group; (3) The structure and microcirculation of the nerve would be damaged if the stretching speed exceeded the limit of 2mm per day. But the eventual results following repair by elongation could not reached the normal level.
OBJECTIVE: To define how to preserve the severed limbs to prolong the period of replantation. METHODS: The original articles about preservation of severed limbs in recent years were reviewed, it was suggested that the period of replantation was determined by the injury of skeletal muscle. RESULTS: When the environment of severed limbs was changed, the injures of skeletal muscle could be decreased. CONCLUSION: After the severed limbs are reasonably preserved, the period of replantation may be prolonged.
Several techniques were used to improve 0.3～0.5 mm microvascular anastomosis. These included (1) non-isolation of adventitia, (2) modified two—point anastomosis, (3) clamping only the inflow in veins anastomosis, (4) atraumatic measurement of vascular patency, (5) post operative stimulation by electromagnetic fields, which accelerated the healing of the vessels. The chance of patency following anastomosis in experimental group was significantly much greater than that in the control one (plt;0.001). We have have also used these techniques in 11 patients with fingers replantion or smaller lymphatic anastomosis. All of the operations were successful.