The importance of the correct resting tension in muscle transplantation: experimental and clinical aspects.

The influence of a reduction of resting tension by elongation of the tendon on muscle function and morphology is investigated in the rectus femoris muscle of the rabbit. An elongation of the patellar tendon of 5 mm causes a reduction of the twitch tension to 73.5 percent of the contralateral control side and a reduction of the tetanic tension to 78.3 percent 6 months after surgery. The histologic, histochemical, and planimetric changes are similar to those reported by other authors for tenotomy, but they are less marked. The clinical relevance of these experimental results for free muscle transplantation with microneurovascular anastomoses and some technical details are discussed.