Study of tibial nerve regeneration in Wistar rats in primary neurorrhaphy with and without gap, wrapped in vein segments

Acta Ortop Bras, 2012 · DOI: · Published: May 1, 2012

Neurology Orthopedics Regenerative Medicine & Stem Cells

Simple Explanation

This study investigates how well nerves regenerate in rats when they are cut and sewn back together, with and without a small gap between the cut ends. The repair is wrapped with a piece of vein. The researchers counted nerve cells in the spinal cord to see how many nerves had successfully regrown. They used a special dye called Fluoro-Gold to help them see the nerve cells. The main finding was that nerves repaired without a gap, and wrapped in a vein, regenerated better than those repaired with a gap and also wrapped in a vein.

Study Duration

4 Months

Participants

20 male Wistar rats

Evidence Level

Level of Evidence: Experimental Study

Key Findings

1
There was a statistical difference between the groups with and without gap in relation to the motor neuron count.
2
The epineural neurorraphy without gap wrapped with jugular vein showed better results for nerve regeneration than the same procedure with gap.
3
During dissection for neuronal marking with FG®, we observed the presence of a more intense fibrosis on the side with the gap, when compared to the side without a gap, in 9 rats.

Research Summary

This study compared nerve regeneration in Wistar rats, using epineural neurorrhaphy with a gap of 1.0 mm and without a gap, both wrapped with jugular vein tubes. Four months after surgery the tibial nerves were exposed to Fluoro-Gold and the motor neuron count performed in the spinal cord. The epineural neurorraphy without gap wrapped with jugular vein showed better results for nerve regeneration than the same procedure with gap.

Practical Implications

Surgical Technique

When repairing a cut nerve, suturing the nerve ends together without leaving a gap, while wrapping the repair with a vein segment, may lead to better nerve regeneration outcomes.

Graft Material

The use of autologous vein grafts as a wrapping material for nerve repair can promote nerve regeneration.

Further Research

Future studies could investigate the optimal gap size for neurorrhaphy, as well as the mechanisms by which vein wrapping promotes nerve regeneration.

Study Limitations

1
The study was conducted on Wistar rats, and the results may not be directly applicable to humans.
2
The sample size was reduced due to animal loss during the study, which may have affected the statistical power.
3
The study only evaluated one gap size (1.0 mm), and other gap sizes may yield different results.

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