A study of sympathectomy and fracture repair
A study of sympathectomy and fracture repair
This in vivo study was designed to investigate the effect of sympathectomy on fracture repair.
In the control group of 33 rabbits, bone healing of a standardised tibial osteotomy stabilised by a uniaxial external fixator was studied up to 12 weeks following the osteotomy. The experimental group of 33 rabbits, in addition to the standard osteotomy, underwent a chemical sympathectomy using 6-hydroxydopamine. A mock sympathectomy in a group of four rabbits, did not affect normal bone healing. Bony union was assessed by histology, plain X-rays, optical densitometry, in vitro and in vivo biomechanical testing. Vascular union was assessed by angiography and laser Doppler flowmetry.
Histologically, sympathectomy resulted in altered fracture repair, with increased external callus formation and earlier intracortical union. However, on both in vitro and in vivo biomechanical testing, the union was weaker, probably due to earlier remodelling of the callus and original cortices. Angiography revealed larger vascular medullo-periosteal anastomoses across the cortices. Three possible mechanisms whereby sympathectomy alters osteogenesis in fracture repair are discussed: increased blood flow, interactions between neurotransmitters, and streaming potentials.
Apart from the altered fracture repair seen after sympathectomy, several general observations could be made as a result of this study. External callus formation was asymmetrical with more callus developing on the postero-lateral surfaces, probably due to the calf musculature providing a better periosteal blood supply to this area. The X-ray scores and densitometry showed poor correlation with ultimate in vitro fracture strength. An in vivo biomechanical testing device was developed. Angiography using 2% Berlin blue followed by bone clearance was a successful technique.(DX191,323)
University of Southampton
Scammell, Brigitte Elfriede
1994
Scammell, Brigitte Elfriede
Scammell, Brigitte Elfriede
(1994)
A study of sympathectomy and fracture repair.
University of Southampton, Doctoral Thesis.
Record type:
Thesis
(Doctoral)
Abstract
This in vivo study was designed to investigate the effect of sympathectomy on fracture repair.
In the control group of 33 rabbits, bone healing of a standardised tibial osteotomy stabilised by a uniaxial external fixator was studied up to 12 weeks following the osteotomy. The experimental group of 33 rabbits, in addition to the standard osteotomy, underwent a chemical sympathectomy using 6-hydroxydopamine. A mock sympathectomy in a group of four rabbits, did not affect normal bone healing. Bony union was assessed by histology, plain X-rays, optical densitometry, in vitro and in vivo biomechanical testing. Vascular union was assessed by angiography and laser Doppler flowmetry.
Histologically, sympathectomy resulted in altered fracture repair, with increased external callus formation and earlier intracortical union. However, on both in vitro and in vivo biomechanical testing, the union was weaker, probably due to earlier remodelling of the callus and original cortices. Angiography revealed larger vascular medullo-periosteal anastomoses across the cortices. Three possible mechanisms whereby sympathectomy alters osteogenesis in fracture repair are discussed: increased blood flow, interactions between neurotransmitters, and streaming potentials.
Apart from the altered fracture repair seen after sympathectomy, several general observations could be made as a result of this study. External callus formation was asymmetrical with more callus developing on the postero-lateral surfaces, probably due to the calf musculature providing a better periosteal blood supply to this area. The X-ray scores and densitometry showed poor correlation with ultimate in vitro fracture strength. An in vivo biomechanical testing device was developed. Angiography using 2% Berlin blue followed by bone clearance was a successful technique.(DX191,323)
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Published date: 1994
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Local EPrints ID: 459356
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/459356
PURE UUID: 698b58f5-a053-4219-ad3c-1950b6cf3905
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Date deposited: 04 Jul 2022 17:09
Last modified: 04 Jul 2022 17:09
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Author:
Brigitte Elfriede Scammell
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