Role of tissue typing on preserved nerve allografts in dogs.

Histocompatibility seems to play an important role in the regeneration of nerve allografts. Compatible tissue typed nerve allografts behave more like autografts and are, therefore, more readily accepted by the host tissue without producing evident tissue rejection. The influence of histocompatibility difference becomes more marked if the graft is longer than 30-40 mm. Irradiation as a means of reducing the immune reaction of the nerve allografts does not seem to have any beneficial effect along with tissue typing. Preservation of nerve grafts at - 70°C does not have any untoward effect.