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Model for avulsion injury in the rat brachial plexus using passive acceleration
Author(s) -
Spinner R.J.,
Khoobehi A.,
Kazmi S.,
Krumreich J.A.,
Zhao S.,
Zhang Z.,
Kline D.G.,
Beuerman R.W.
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
microsurgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.031
H-Index - 63
eISSN - 1098-2752
pISSN - 0738-1085
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1098-2752(2000)20:2<94::aid-micr8>3.0.co;2-l
Subject(s) - avulsion , medicine , avulsion injury , brachial plexus , brachial plexus injury , acceleration , rat model , body weight , plexus , surgery , anesthesia , physics , classical mechanics
We have developed an experimental model for brachial plexus injuries in the rat that closely simulates the characteristics of human injury. This model produces avulsion injuries in a noninvasive manner. A prototype apparatus was designed that allowed a force to be transmitted to a restrained limb by passive acceleration. Reproducible results were obtained in 32 rats. A significant correlation was found between the test weight and the number of roots avulsed (r = 0.92; P < 0.05). The amount of force also correlated to the pattern of avulsion injury: a 230‐g weight produced either C6 (54%), C7 (15%), or C6 and C7 (31%) avulsions; a 330‐g weight produced C6 (18%), C7 (9%), or C6 and C7 (73%) avulsions; a 530‐g weight produced C5 through C8 (75%) or C6 through T1 (25%) avulsions. This model of brachial plexus injury may be useful to further our understanding of the cellular response to this incapacitating injury and to develop therapeutic strategies with behavioral correlates. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. MICROSURGERY 20:94–97 2000