Freeze-Thawed Skeletal Muscle Autografts used for Brachial Plexus Repair in the Non-Human Primate

Abstract

An experimental study undertaken in the marmoset is reported. A defect in the lateral cord of the brachial plexus was repaired with a longitudinally aligned freeze-thawed skeletal muscle autograft.

Recovery was assessed after one year using sensory and motor electrophysiological and also histological examination of the nerve. The results show that this is a satisfactory method of peripheral nerve repair in the marmoset. It is suggested that the technique may be applicable to repair of the human brachial plexus.