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Microsurgical denervation of rat spermatic cord: safety and efficacy data
Author(s) -
Laudano Melissa A.,
Osterberg E. Charles,
Sheth Seema,
Ramasamy Ranjith,
Sterling Joshua,
Mukherjee Sushmita,
Robinson Brian D.,
Parekattil Sijo,
Goldstein Marc,
Schlegel Peter N.,
Li Philip S.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
bju international
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.773
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1464-410X
pISSN - 1464-4096
DOI - 10.1111/bju.12421
Subject(s) - vas deferens , spermatic cord , denervation , medicine , testicular artery , microsurgery , urology , surgery , anatomy , artery
Objective To describe a microsurgical technique for denervation of the spermatic cord and use of multiphoton microscopy ( MPM ) laser to identify and ablate residual nerves after microsurgical denervation. To evaluate structural and functional changes in the rat testis and vas deferens after denervation.Materials and Methods Nine S prague‐ D awley rats were divided into three experimental groups: sham, microsurgical denervation of the spermatic cord ( MDSC ), and MDSC immediately followed by laser ablation with MPM . At 2 months after surgery, we assessed testicular volume, functional circulation of the testicular artery with D oppler, patency of the vas deferens, and histology of the testis and vas deferens.Results There was a significant decrease in the median number of nerves remaining around the vas deferens with MDSC alone (3.5 nerves) or MDSC with MPM (1.5 nerves) compared with sham rats (15.5 nerves) ( P = 0.003). Although, MDSC with MPM resulted in the fewest remaining nerves, this result was similar to MDSC alone ( P = 0.29). No deleterious effects on spermatogenesis or vas patency were seen in the experimental groups when compared with the sham rats.Conclusion A microsurgical approach can be used to effectively and safely denervate the rat spermatic cord with minimal changes to structure and function of the testis and vas deferens. MPM can be used as an adjunct to identify and ablate residual nerves after MDSC .