Whole-muscle reimplantation with microneurovascular anastomoses. a functional and histological study
Prendergast, F.J.; McGeachie, J.K.; Edis, R.H.; Allbrook, D.
Annals of the Royal College of Surgeons of England 59(5): 393-400
1977
ISSN/ISBN: 0035-8843 PMID: 900796 Document Number: 119816
Whole tibialis anterior muscles were removed from a number of dogs and were then reimplanted in the original sites. Microsurgical anastomoses of the major nerve, artery, and vein were performed. Biopsy revealed some minor regenerative changes in the muscle a few weeks after the operation. Electromyographic recordings 6-9 months after implantation showed near-complete functional recovery of the muscles. This was confirmed histologically. The study demonstrates not only that whole-muscle reimplantation is technically feasible but that a functionally satisfactory result may be expected.