EXPERIMENTAL STUDY IN SKELETAL MUSCLE REGENERATION USING COLLAGEN SPONGE SCAFFOLD IN RABBITS

Aim:

The aim of this study is to attempt to regenerate skeletal muscle for reconstruction the muscle tissue of anorectum.Currently various operations are performed on patients with lower rectal carcinomas to preserve their defecation function. But, permanent abdominal stoma is still often applied for reconstruction. To develop new operation method, regeneration of the skeletal muscle is one of the essential factor to recover patient’s defication function.

Material and Methods:

Twelve Japanese white rabbits were used. A 0.8×0.8×0.5cm defect was created on lateral vastus. It was filled with a collagen sponge and covered with the fascia (group A). In the control group only covered with the fascia (group B). At various weeks after surgery they were excised for macroscopic and histologic evaluation.

Results:

In group A, the collagen sponge remained until one week and disappeared without any adhesion to the fascia after two weeks. Then it replaced gradually by connective tissue and a few myotubes appeared adjacent to host muscle fiber, but it wasn’t completely filled with the defect even after 24 weeks. In group B, the defect reduced by severe scar contraction and adhered to the fascia until 4 weeks. A few myotubes appeared adjacent to host muscle fiber, but they didn’t grow more.

Conclusion:

Though the evident regeneration was not recognized even in the collagen sponge group, the defect only model result in severe scar formation, therefore it seems necessary to apply collagen scaffold for maintenance of the regeneration field.