• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.613-618
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• 2005

When a large peripheral nerve defect occurs, an autologous nerve graft is the most ideal method of recinstruction. But an autologous nerve graft has many limitations due to donor site morbidities. Many previous focused on finding the ideal nerve conduit. Among them, $Gore-Tex^{(R)}$ has several advantages over other conduits. It can be manipulated to a suitable size, does not collapse easily, and it is a semi- permeable material that contain pores. A round shaped nerve can be newly formed because of its smooth inner surface. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the availability of $Gore-Tex^{(R)}$ tube as a nerve conduit at the peripheral nerve defect in the rat sciatic nerve. The 10 mm nerve gap was made in each group. A $Gore-Tex^{(R)}$ tube filled with skeletal muscle was inserted and autologous nerve graft was harvested, respectively. In the experimental group, we placed a 0.5 mm thickness, $30{\mu}m$ pored, 1.8 mm in diameter and 14 mm length tube with skeletal muscle inserted inside. In the control group, the nerve gap was inserted with a rat sciatic nerve. We estimated the results electrophysiologically and histologically to 16 weeks postoperatively. Results in the nerve conduction velocity, total myelinated axon count, myelin sheath thickness and mean nerve fiber diameter, the experimental group was substantially lower than that of the control group, but the statistic difference was not significant (p<0.05). The morphology was very similar in both groups, microscopically. From the above results, We conclude that $Gore-Tex^{(R)}$ qualifies as an ideal nerve conduit. It is suggested that $Gore-Tex^{(R)}$ tube filled with skeletal muscle may, substitute for an autologous nerve graft.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.213-218
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• 2006

As the large defect of peripheral nerve occurs, the autologous nerve graft is the most ideal method but it has many limitations due to donor site morbidities. Various materials have been developed for the nerve defect as the conduits, but none of these materials is satisfactory. Among them, $Gore-Tex^{(R)}$ tube seems to be one of the most ideal nerve conduit materials at peripheral nerve defect. Many researches have focused on finding the neurotrophic factors. It is recently demonstrated that Valproic acid(VPA) has an effect of axonal regeneration as a neurotrophic factor without enzymatic degradation and toxicity problems. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of VPA on the nerve regeneration at the peripheral nerve defect. A 10 mm gap of rat sciatic nerve was made and $Gore-Tex^{(R)}$ tube filled with biceps femoris muscle was placed at the nerve defect site. We let the rat take VPA as drinking water in experimental group and did not give VPA to the control group. We estimated the results as electrophysiologic and histological aspects for 16 weeks after the surgery. The nerve conduction velocity, total myelinated axon count, myelin sheath thickness and mean nerve fiber diameter significantly increased in VPA-treated experimental group when compared to the control (p < 0.05). From the above results, we conclude that VPA promotes the nerve regeneration at the peripheral nerve defect site. It is suggested that $Gore-Tex^{(R)}$ tube filled with skeletal muscle and VPA administration may be a good substitute for autologous nerve graft.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.337-343
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• 2009

Background: Postoperative recurrence is a major problem after performing video-assisted thoracic surgery for the treatment of primary pneumothorax. This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a bioabsorbable staple line reinforcement (GORE $SEAMGUARD^{(R)}$) for preventing recurrence after bullectomy. Material and Method: From January 2000 to December 2004, 300 patients underwent video assisted thoracoscopic surgery for the treatment of primary penumothorax. 143 patients were treated with bioabsorbable staple line reinforcement (Group A) and 142 patients were treated with stapling of the bullae (Group B). Mechanical pleural abrasion was performed in all the patients. The operating time, the duration of the indwelling chest tube, the length of the hospital stay and the number of recurrences after operation were compared between the groups. Result: No operative deaths occurred. The conversion rate to an open procedure was 5% (15/300). Comparison with these groups (Group A versus Group B) showed the following results: the operating time ($49.6{\pm}25.6$ vs $51.8{\pm}30.4$ minutes, respectively, p=0.514), the duration of an indwelling chest tube ($5.8{\pm}2.5$ vs $7.2{\pm}3.3$ days, respectively, p<0.005), the hospital stay ($10.9{\pm}4.3$ vs $12.5{\pm}4.3$ days, respectively, p<0.005) and the number of recurrences (14 (9.8%) vs 10 (7.0%), respectively, the over all rate: 8.4% p=0.523), and the mean follow up period. ($48.1{\pm}36.6$ vs $36.5{\pm}24.4$ months, respectively). Conclusion: There were advantages to use synthetic absorbable staple line reinforcement over the usual method for the treatment of primary pneumothorax in regard to the duration of an indwelling chest tube and the hospital stay, but here was no significant difference between the groups for postoperative recurrence.