Peripheral Nerve Regeneration in Nerve Conduits across a 25-mm-long Gap in Rabbits
Date Issued
2011
Date
2011
Author(s)
Tseng, I-Ling
Abstract
Peripheral nerve injury is a serious health concern for society, affecting 2.8% of trauma patients. Current techniques in peripheral nerve repair include the use of autografts, a golden standard method, and nerve conduits to bridge the nerve gap. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the nerve regeneration across a large gap through nerve conduits in rabbits. In this study, two different conduits were prepared from the same polymer, poly(D,L-lactic acid) (PLA). They were both microporous with novel asymmetric permeability and guiding grooves on the lumen surface. In one type of conduits, acidic fibroblast growth factor 1 (aFGF1) was immobilized on the lumen surface. Twenty-four male adult New Zealand rabbits were used in this study. They were divided into three groups: autograft (control group), NC conduit, and FGF1 conduit. Gait analysis was performed on all animals monthly before the animals were sacrificed. The results indicated that functional recovery percent based on gait analysis was more than 60 % in three groups. The nerve regeneration was evaluated at 4 and 6 months by electrophysiological and histological analysis. Electromyography examination showed better improvement in autograft group. The FGF1 nerve conduit had the fastest nerve conduction velocity 6 months after surgery. The gastrocnemius muscle wet weight ratio (operated site vs. unoperated side) was about 0.82, 0.45, and 0.40 in autograft, NC conduit, and FGF1 conduit groups 6 months after surgery. The ratio of autograft group was significantly higher than two nerve conduit groups. Histomorphology data demonstrated atrophy of the gastrocnemius muscle in the lesion leg while the regenerated fibers of sciatic nerve was distributed as clusters composed of dense myelinated axons. In conclusion, the nerve conduit results were compared to the autograft. The research proved that the PLA nerve conduit could make nerve regenerate through 25-mm-long gap 3 months after surgery.
Keywords: peripheral nerve injury, nerve conduit, autograft, nerve regeneration
Subjects
peripheral nerve injury
nerve conduit
autograft
nerve regeneration
Type
thesis
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