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Long Nerve Allografts in Sheep with Cyclosporin a Immunosuppression

Authors :
Matsuyama, Takeshi
Midha, Rajiv
Mackinnon, Susan
Munro, Catherine
Wong, Pui-Yeun
Ang, Lee
Source :
Journal of Reconstructive Microsurgery; April 2000, Vol. 16 Issue: 3 p0219-0226, 8p
Publication Year :
2000

Abstract

-Rodent studies of nerve allografts are limited by a relatively short length of graft segment. The authors attempted to establish an outbred sheep model that would allow the study of longer, more clinically relevant nerve gaps. Using outbred ewes, two 8-cm long radial sensory nerves were grafted into gaps (5 cm) in the median nerve. Sheep received an autograft and an allograft. Four sheep were immunosuppressed with Cyclosporin A (CsA) and four were controls. Blood CsA levels greater than 1000 ?g/L were obtained. Systemic immunosuppression resulted in severe opportunistic infections, and the sheep were sacrificed between 35 and 47 days following surgery. Histologically, in the autografts and CsA-treated allografts, evidence of nerve regeneration was seen. Non-immunosuppressed allografts were clearly rejected. While clear differences in the histology of experimental and control grafted nerve tissues were seen, the sheep allograft model presents considerable challenges due to immunosuppression-related infectious complications.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
0743684X and 10988947
Volume :
16
Issue :
3
Database :
Supplemental Index
Journal :
Journal of Reconstructive Microsurgery
Publication Type :
Periodical
Accession number :
ejs9385194