The Pathogenesis of Glenohumeral Deformity and Contracture Formation in Obstetric Brachial Plexus Palsy-A Review.

Contractures of the shoulder joint and glenohumeral joint dysplasia are well known complications to obstetrical brachial plexus palsy. Despite extensive description of these sequelae, the exact pathogenesis remains unknown. The prevailing theory to explain the contractures and glenohumeral joint dysplasia states that upper trunk injury leads to nonuniform muscle recovery and thus imbalance between internal and external rotators of the shoulder.

Long-Term Effects of Fibrin Conduit with Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Immunosuppression after Peripheral Nerve Repair in a Xenogenic Model.

Introduction: Previously we showed that a fibrin glue conduit with human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) and cyclosporine A (CsA) enhanced early nerve regeneration. In this study long term effects of this conduit are investigated.

Methods: In a rat model, the sciatic nerve was repaired with fibrin conduit containing fibrin matrix, fibrin conduit containing fibrin matrix with CsA treatment and fibrin conduit containing fibrin matrix with hMSCs and CsA treatment, and also with nerve graft as control.

Effects of early nerve repair on experimental brachial plexus injury in neonatal rats.

Obstetrical brachial plexus injury refers to injury observed at the time of delivery, which may lead to major functional impairment in the upper limb. In this study, the neuroprotective effect of early nerve repair following complete brachial plexus injury in neonatal rats was examined. Brachial plexus injury induced 90% loss of spinal motoneurons and 70% decrease in biceps muscle weight at 28 days after injury.

Proximal versus Distal Nerve Transfer for Biceps Reinnervation-A Comparative Study in a Rat's Brachial Plexus Injury Model.

Background: The exact role of proximal and distal nerve transfers in reconstruction strategies of brachial plexus injury remains controversial. We compared proximal with distal nerve reconstruction strategies in a rat model of brachial plexus injury.

Methods: In rats, the C6 spinal nerve with a nerve graft (proximal nerve transfer model, n = 30, group A) and 50% of ulnar nerve (distal nerve transfer model, n = 30, group B) were used as the donor nerves.

A Simplified Lateral Hinge Approach to the Proximal Interphalangeal Joint.

Proximal interphalangeal joint replacement is an effective treatment for painful arthritis affecting the joint. However, the complication rate is relatively high, with many of these complications related to soft-tissue imbalance or instability. Volar, dorsal, and lateral approaches have all been described with varying results.

Effect of delayed peripheral nerve repair on nerve regeneration, Schwann cell function and target muscle recovery.

Despite advances in surgical techniques for peripheral nerve repair, functional restitution remains incomplete. The timing of surgery is one factor influencing the extent of recovery but it is not yet clearly defined how long a delay may be tolerated before repair becomes futile. In this study, rats underwent sciatic nerve transection before immediate (0) or 1, 3, or 6 months delayed repair with a nerve graft.

Fibrin conduit supplemented with human mesenchymal stem cells and immunosuppressive treatment enhances regeneration after peripheral nerve injury.

To address the need for the development of bioengineered replacement of a nerve graft, a novel two component fibrin glue conduit was combined with human mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) and immunosupressive treatment with cyclosporine A. The effects of MSC on axonal regeneration in the conduit and reaction of activated macrophages were investigated using sciatic nerve injury model. A 10mm gap in the sciatic nerve of a rat was created and repaired either with fibrin glue conduit containing diluted fibrin matrix or fibrin glue conduit containing fibrin matrix with MSC at concentration of 80×10(6) cells/ml.

BD™ PuraMatrix™ peptide hydrogel seeded with Schwann cells for peripheral nerve regeneration.

This study investigated the effects of a membrane conduit filled with a synthetic matrix BD™ PuraMatrix™ peptide (BD) hydrogel and cultured Schwann cells on regeneration after peripheral nerve injury in adult rats. After sciatic axotomy, a 10mm gap between the nerve stumps was bridged using ultrafiltration membrane conduits filled with BD hydrogel or BD hydrogel containing Schwann cells. In control experiments, the nerve defect was bridged using either membrane conduits with alginate/fibronectin hydrogel or autologous nerve graft.