ABSTRACT
We studied different types of the vascular response to direct intraoperative low-frequency electrical stimulation of the sciatic nerve after autoneuroplasty of its tibial portion and analyzed their effects on the limb function recovery. Rats (n=20) underwent 40-min intraoperative electrical stimulation, and hemodynamics in the leg was recorded by photoplethysmography. Functional recovery of the tibial nerve was assessed using a walking path analysis within 12 weeks after surgery. Three types of the vascular response to electrical stimulation were identified: the absence of pronounced hemodynamic changes during the electrostimulation session, hyperkinetic type of hemodynamics, and venous outflow disturbances. In rats demonstrating vascular responses of types I and II during the postoperative period, the functional index of the tibial nerve partially recovered within 12 weeks; in type III, no recovery was observed. It was concluded that the type of hemodynamics during intraoperative electrical stimulation of the damaged nerve subjected to autoneuroplasty affects further restoration of the motor function of the limb.