Role of free radicals in necrosis of skin graft compromised with hematoma.

It has been observed previously that a hematoma affects skin flap survival adversely through free radical action. The current study was undertaken to determine whether similar mechanisms are operative in skin grafts. The experiment was divided into two parts.

Autogenous venous graft with one-stage prepared Schwann cells as a conduit for repair of long segmental nerve defects.

The use of autogenous venous graft with intraluminal injection of Schwann cells to enhance nerve regeneration of long segmental nerve defects was evaluated in a rabbit tibial nerve-repair model. Schwann cells were isolated from the excised rabbit tibial nerve by using the polylysine differential adhesion method. The cultured cells were identified by immunocytochemical labeling for S-100 protein.