Use of polytetrafluorinated ethylene compound in peripheral nerve grafting. An experimental study

D. H. Rice, F. D. Burstein and A. Newman

The suitability of polytetrafluorinated ethylene compound (Gore-tex) tubing in peripheral nerve grafting was studied using a rat sciatic nerve model. Thick-walled (0.36 mm) tubing was compared with thin-walled tubing (17 mm). Thin-walled tubing gave a favorable functional and microscopic result in five of seven animals, while thick-walled tubing gave a favorable graft result in three of six animals. The results achieved with the thin-walled tubing were comparable to those achieved using nerve grafts and vein interposition grafts.