Abstract
The reinnervation of rat groin island flaps and microneurovascular flaps was investigated. The nerve trunk leading to the flap was transsected in all rats and the nerve ends were either resutured or ligated. Sensory and adrenergic reinnervation of the flaps was studied semiquantitatively after 20 weeks using specific antisera for calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) as a marker for sensory nerves, neuropeptide Y (NPY) for adrenergic nerves and Protein Gene Product 9.5 (PGP 9.5) as a general neuronal marker. The reinnervation of island groin flaps was compared to that in corresponding microneurovascular flaps. The nerve suture clearly increased both sensory and adrenergic reinnervation. In island flaps the reinnervation was good throughout the flap, whereas in microsurgical flaps the reinnervation pattern was more sparse and patchier. Evidently the cause for this was circulatory disorders and the reperfusion injury which takes place after the ischemic period in microsurgical flaps.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.