Development of Methods for Neurorrhaphy and the Treatment of Spinal Cord and Cauda Equina Injuries in Battle Casualties.
Abstract
An improved pattern of regeneration has been demonstrated in animals when nerve stumps are cooled to 10C prior to suture. Treatment of phantom limb pain in lower extremity amputees by resection of neuromata and stump encapsulation with Silastic is useful. Treatment, through neurolysis or autografts, of the paralyzed arm due to brachial plexus is partially successful in carefully selected cases. Limited experience with frozen-irradiated peripheral nerve homografts in bridging irreducible gaps in human nerves shows that this method holds some promise for the future. Large numbers of axons will bridge a gap in a feline spinal cord destroyed by freezing, but long-term observation fails to detect return of motor and sensory function. A study of the temporal sequence of pathological changes occurring after a feline spinal cord is contused by a 400 gm-cm froce indicates that the initial tissue damage is slight and gradually increases. Four hours after injury, structural loss is so great that salvage through various forms of treatment holds little hope. However, at three hours, sufficient tissue is preserved to make attempts at therapy worthwhile, even though the gray matter is replaced by hemorrhagic necrosis.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 1972
- Accession Number
- AD0759278
Entities
People
- James B. Campbell
Organizations
- NYU Langone Health