Repair of Partial Lesions with Nerve Grafting Methods in the Rat Tibial Nerve

Abstract

A partial nerve lesion and associated neuroma can be either left alone or repaired with a graft. A by-pass graft around the undisturbed lesion with end-to-side attachments might be a good alternative. This study in rats examines these strategies using walking-track analysis, muscle weights, and histology. After a tibial nerve partial lesion (3 mm) and a 21-day delay, the reexposed lesion was either not repaired, repaired with an interposed allograft, or a by-pass allograft. Functional results showed that all three groups had a steady improvement over the 8-week period, but without significant group differences. Gastrocnemius muscle ratios reflected intermediate atrophy. Axons regenerating through the lesion were more advanced than those which regenerated through the grafts and a neuroma was absent. The partial lesion can regenerate to an intermediate level without any intervention, including a by-pass graft, although the delayed repair strategy may have counteracted any potential benefits.

Early behavioral and histological outcomes following a novel traumatic partial nerve lesion

“…An altered physiology may be accompanied by both WD and sparing even within the same cluster of non-myelinated axons (Murinson et al, 2005). Likewise, we have observed single profiles at the ultrastructural level in which both degeneration and regeneration are evident (Kerns et al, 2005a). Our tibial PNL model allows for the important co-mingling of spared and damaged axons within the same fascicle with sparing of both the peroneal and sural nerves.…”

Cross-chest median nerve transfer: A new model for the evaluation of nerve regeneration across a 40 mm gap in the rat

“…Reviewing these results raises the question whether a difference in regeneration velocity might be better identified by a larger distance between the nerve stumps. Augmentation of such gap lengths is always needed since the excellent regeneration potential of rodents is well known (Kerns et al, 2005).…”

An improved electrophysiological method to study peripheral nerve regeneration in rats

“…Due to the excellent functional nerve regeneration which is found generally in rodents (Kerns et al, 2005;Heath and Rutkowski, 1998;Buti et al, 1996;Jenq et al, 1984) we only could demonstrate differences in the grasping force/strength between the operated animal groups (groups 2 and 3) in the first weeks (see Fig. 3).…”