The Effect of Autologous Fat Graft with Different Surgical Repair Methods on Nerve Regeneration in a Rat Sciatic Nerve Defect Model

Abstract

Although there was no significant difference between the groups, rats receiving autologous fat graft showed better regeneration. Combined use of autologous fat graft with surgical repair methods induced significantly better regeneration. It was concluded that autologous fat grafting may have a beneficial effect on nerve regeneration when it is present in the coaptation site during healing.

ADSCs in a fibrin matrix enhance nerve regeneration after epineural suturing in a rat model

“…However, vascularization might be necessary to keep these cells alive, which significantly decreases applicability for peripheral nerve defects. Another approach was followed by Tuncel et al who applied an autologous fat graft after short centrifugation to the surgical repair site of a sciatic nerve injury . Concomitant to the former study, enhanced nerve regeneration was demonstrated compared with sole surgical treatment and the authors concluded that ADSCs within the fat graft were mainly responsible for this effect.…”

Nerve regeneration techniques respecting the special characteristics of the inferior alveolar nerve

“…Muscle tissue and fat tissue repeatedly have been shown to be suitable materials for bridging nerve defects (Lutz et al, 2001;Lutz, 2004;Meek et al, 2004;Yoshitani et al, 2007;Dornseifer et al, 2011;Manoli et al, 2014;Riccio et al, 2014;Tuncel et al, 2015). Although clinical use of both materials is possible, as many donor sites are accessible, our results indicated no statistically significant difference between the measurements directly after nerve dissection and 24 weeks later.…”

“…It has already been shown that fat tissue contains many Schwann cells (Püschel et al, 2011), which are involved mainly in the process of nerve regeneration (Konofaos and Ver Halen, 2013) and therefore seem to be a suitable alternative to muscle grafts (Tuncel et al, 2015), with less problematic donor site morbidity compared with other kinds of nerve grafting (Kiviluoto, 1976;Gill et al, 1979;Jacobs et al, 1980;Wallach et al, 2008). Schwann cells have already been shown to enhace axonal regeneration after implantation in a nerve conduit (Guenard et al, 1992;Mosahebi et al, 2002).…”

“…In contrast to our model, most studies have investigated nerve regeneration of peripheral nerves running free in body tissue (Iwakura et al, 2012;Ding et al, 2014;Giusti et al, 2014;Isaacs and Browne, 2014;Tuncel et al, 2015). Our study model considers the special conditions of the IAN as a sensitive nerve in a bony channel.…”

The Combined Use of Curcumin and Platelet-Rich Plasma Enhances Axonal Regeneration in Acute Nerve Injuries: An Experimental Study in a Rat Model

“…We analyzed the walking track at 4 and 12 weeks post-surgery using the sciatic functional index (SFI), 20 based on a modification to the study by Tuncel et al 21 We measured the print length (PL), toe spreading (TS), and intermediate toe spreading (IT) on the experimental side (E), and the normal contralateral side (N) of each rat. The walking track was applied by the veterinarians enrolled in this study.…”