Motor functional recovery after sciatic nerve gap repair by acellular nerve allograft through chemical extraction in canines

Objective To observe the motor functional recovery of hindlimb movements in the canines, in which a large gap is made in the continuity of the sciatic nerve and is repaired by allograft through chemical extraction. Methods Fifteen canines were divided into acellular nerve allografting group (Group ANG, 6 canines), autografting group (Group AG, 6 canines) and fresh nerve allografting group (Group FNG, 3 canines). The sciatic nerves on the right side of all the animals were exposed and 5 cm long segments in the mid-thigh level was removed and then replaced by the three types of grafts. A gait test was made in 3 canines in Group ANG, 3 in Group AG and 3 normal canines at the 6th month following implantation. Results General recovery of motor function: all animals in Group ANG and Group AG had similar patterns of general manifestation and myodynamic recovery after implantation. All animals in Group FNG had no any motor functional recovery of right posterior limb. Gait test: all animals in Group ANG and Group AG had similar patterns of right posterior limb gait cycle and right ankle movements. Conclusions There are similar patterns of motor recovery in the canines in 6 months after allograft. However, there is no any functional recovery in those repaired by fresh nerve allograft.