The effect of wrapping scarred nerves with autogenous vein graft to treat recurrent chronic nerve compression

The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of vein wrapping of scarred nerves in a chronic nerve compression model in rats. The ultimate goal was to provide experimental evidence for application of the technique of vein wrapping of nerves for the treatment of recurrent compressive neuropathy. The chronic nerve compression model was created in 100 rats. After 8 months the nerves were decompressed. In 50 rats the nerves were wrapped with an opened femoral vein graft; the remaining 50 animals served as controls. The sciatic nerves of both groups were evaluated at 4, 8, 12, 24, and 48 weeks after surgery. Functionally, the sciatic nerves in the vein-wrapped group showed greater improvement than those in the non-vein-wrapped group. For electrophysiologic testing the latency was significantly shorter in the vein-wrapped group. Histologic evaluation showed marked nerve degeneration and scar tissue formation around the nerves in the non-vein-wrapped group but not in the vein-wrapped group. The results indicate that the vein graft could improve the recovery of nerve function by protecting the nerve from surrounding scar and is an effective and feasible technique for the surgical treatment of recurrent compressive neuropathy. Copyright (C) 2000 by the American Society for Surgery of the Hand.