An electrophysiological and morphological comparison of the microwave muscle graft and the freeze-thawed muscle graft

SUMMARY.The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility of using a microwave oven to produce denatured muscle grafts for the repair of 1 cm deficits in the rabbit peroneal nerve. Recovery of function was assessed after 6 months by electrophysiological and histological examination of the peroneal nerve and target muscles. The results were compared to normal rabbits and to a group whose nerves were repaired with freeze-thawed muscle grafts (FTMG). The results of this study showed that heating muscle in a microwave oven does produce a graft which may be used as an alternative to the FTMG. However, the technical difficulties in preparing a microwave muscle graft make the use of this technique in the clinical setting unlikely.