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Peripheral nerve lengthening by controlled isolated distraction: a new animal model
Author(s) -
Kroeber Markus W.,
Diao Edward,
Hida ShinIchi,
Liebenberg Ellen
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
journal of orthopaedic research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.041
H-Index - 155
eISSN - 1554-527X
pISSN - 0736-0266
DOI - 10.1016/s0736-0266(00)00007-3
Subject(s) - sciatic nerve , epineurial repair , medicine , anatomy , axon , anastomosis , peripheral nerve , neuroma , surgery
We have developed a simple and effective animal model to study the distraction neurogenesis utilizing the sciatic nervelengthening technique in rats. The model allows macroscopic, physiological, and histological evaluation of the distraction site. Fourteen adult Harlan Sprague Dawley rats (300–350 g) were used in this study. A 10 mm segment of the right sciatic nerve of each animal in the nerve‐lengthening group was resected. Gradual nerve lengthening was performed by advancing the proximal nerve stump at a rate of 1 mm/day. The proximal stump neuroma was then resected and a direct nerve anastomosis was performed. On the left side a standard autogenous nerve‐grafting procedure was performed with a 10 mm segment of sciatic nerve used as an in situ nerve graft. Three months after the second surgery, the sciatic nerves were exposed and investigated by gross observation and EMG followed by histological processing and tissue analysis. Neomicrovascularization was observed surrounding the sciatic nerve anastomosis in all five specimens of the nerve‐lengthening group as compared to the more white‐colored scar tissue that was observed in the nerve‐grafting group. The EMG results were similar for both groups. Histological studies of the lengthened nerves showed axon morphology equivalent to the grafted nerves. This study demonstrated a clear evidence of the successful nerve regeneration within a segmental nerve gap by nerve lengthening. © 2001 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.