Can one muscle reinnervate another? A preliminary study of muscular neurotization in the rabbit.

A laboratory model for study of possible reinnervation at the muscle level is presented. The preliminary histochemical results suggest that muscular neurotization occurs following removal of the investing fascia. However, the muscle atrophy (which follows denervation) continues to take place in spite of such reinnervation. The potential clinical relevance of these findings to free muscle grafting is discussed.