Physiologic and Histologic Changes in the Sciatic Nerve of Rabbits During Femoral Lengthening.
10.4055/jkoa.2003.38.4.406
- Author:
Hui Taek KIM
1
;
Yong Ho SUH
;
Sang Dae BAEK
;
Jong Seo LEE
;
Soon Mi PARK
;
Hee Kyung CHANG
;
Chong Il YOO
Author Information
1. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, College of Medicine Pusan National University, Busan, Korea. kimht@pusan.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Bone lengthening;
Nerve
- MeSH:
Bone Lengthening;
External Fixators;
Femur;
Humans;
Neural Conduction;
Osteotomy;
Rabbits*;
Sciatic Nerve*
- From:The Journal of the Korean Orthopaedic Association
2003;38(4):406-411
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
PURPOSE: To evaluate changes in the sciatic nerve of rabbits according to the degree of femoral lengthening. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Acute and gradual bone lengthening of the femur were performed after osteotomy, using external fixators in 36 rabbits of both sexes weighing 2, 500 gm. According to the lengthening amount and the percent increase (PI), 21 rabbits (acute lengthening) were divided into seven subgroups and 15 rabbits (gradual lengthening) into five subgroups. A nerve conduction study, light microscopic and electromicroscopic analysis of the sciatic nerve were performed. RESULTS: Acute femoral lengthening between 0.5-0.75 cm (PI= 6-9%) caused remarkable electrophysiologic and microscopic changes in the sciatic nerve, gradual lengthening between 0.75-1.0 cm (PI= 9-13%) induced significant electrophysiologic changes, and gradual lengthening between 1.0-1.5 cm (PI=13-19%) caused significant pathologic change. CONCLUSION: Gradual bone lengthening is safer for nerves than acute bone lengthing because of its safety margin, in terms of PI, is double that of acute bone lengthening. The results in this study provide helpful data to those in human nerve research upon the effects of acute and gradual bone lengthening.
