Anatomical study of the nerve regeneration after selective neurectomy in the rabbit: clinical application for esthetic calf reduction.
10.5115/acb.2015.48.4.268
- Author:
Kang Jae SHIN
1
;
Ja Young YOO
;
Ju Young LEE
;
Young Chun GIL
;
Jeong Nam KIM
;
Ki Seok KOH
;
Wu Chul SONG
Author Information
1. Department of Anatomy, Research Institute of Medical Science, Konkuk University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. anatomy@kku.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Triceps surae muscle;
Gastrocnemius muscle;
Soleus muscle;
Selective neurectomy;
Nerve regeneration
- MeSH:
Axons;
Incidence;
Muscle, Skeletal;
Muscles;
Myelin Sheath;
Nerve Degeneration;
Nerve Regeneration*;
Rabbits;
Regeneration
- From:Anatomy & Cell Biology
2015;48(4):268-274
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
The purposes of this study were therefore to characterize the degeneration and regeneration of nerves to the calf muscles after selective neurectomy, both macroscopically and microscopically, and to determine the incidence of such regeneration in a rabbit model. Seventy four New Zealand white rabbits were used. Selective neurectomy to the triceps surae muscles was performed, and the muscles were subsequently harvested and weighed 1-4 months postneurectomy. The gastrocnemius muscles were stained with Sihler's solution to enable the macroscopic observation of any nerve regeneration that may have occurred subsequent to neurectomy. The change in triceps surae muscle weight was measured along the time course of the experiment. After neurectomy, nerve degeneration was followed by regeneration in all cases. The weight of the triceps surae muscle decreased dramatically between completion of the neurectomy and 1 month postneurectomy, but increased thereafter. The nerve branches were weakly stained with Sihler's solution until 2 months postneurectomy, and then strongly stained after 3 months. The number of myelinated axons was decreased at 2 month after neurectomy compared to nonneurectomized controls, but then gradually increased thereafter. Although there are currently no reports on the incidence of recovery after calf reduction, it may be a very common occurrence in the clinical field based on our findings. The findings of this study provide fundamental anatomical and surgical information to aid planning and practice in calf-reduction surgery.
