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. 2021;12(5):48-54.
doi: 10.17691/stm2020.12.5.05. Epub 2020 Oct 28.

Reconstruction of the Rat Sciatic Nerve by Using Biodegradable and Non-Biodegradable Conduits

A G Velichanskaya  1 , D A Abrosimov  2 , M L Bugrova  3 , A V Kazakov  4 , E V Pogadaeva  5 , A M Radaev  1 , N V Blagova  6 , T I Vasyagina  7 , I L Ermolin  8
Affiliations

Reconstruction of the Rat Sciatic Nerve by Using Biodegradable and Non-Biodegradable Conduits

A G Velichanskaya et al. Sovrem Tekhnologii Med. 2021.

Abstract

The aim of the study was to compare two types of conduits made of either non-resorbable Reperen or resorbable Tissucol for their effects on the regeneration of the rat sciatic nerve under conditions of stump diastasis.

Materials and methods: The experiments were carried out using outbred white male rats of the reproductive age (n=14). The animals were divided into three groups: group 1, intact (n=5), used for studying the morphology of the sciatic nerve; group 2 (n=4) - nerve plastic surgery was performed using a conduit made of non-resorbable Reperen; group 3 (n=5) - surgery was performed using a conduit made of resorbable Tissucol. The animals were anesthetized with isoflurane. After a complete transection of the sciatic nerve in the middle third of the thigh, its stumps were inserted into a conduit of an internal diameter of 2 mm and a length of 10 mm, filled with saline. Diastasis of 5 mm in length was created by spreading the nerve ends and securing the epineurium to the tube edges with 8/0 polypropylene sutures. A total count of myelinated nerve fibers was performed in the area of repair (tubulation) and the distal part of the nerve; the formation of connective tissue sheaths was assessed 14 weeks after the operation.

Results: According to the morphological assessment, both types of conduits (resorbable and non-resorbable) caused the similar number of fibers to restore in the distal part of the repaired nerve; clinical characteristics of the animals in both groups were close to each other and to the norm.

Conclusion: The results allow us to consider the conduit made of non-resorbable Reperen as a device promising for neuroplasty along with the resorbable conduit made of Tissucol.

Keywords: Reperen; Tissucol Kit; conduit for nerve repair; nerve regeneration; peripheral nerve.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interest. The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest to report.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Cross-section of the rat sciatic nerve:
(a) in an intact animal; (b) regenerated in a conduit from Reperen after 14 weeks; (c) regenerated in a conduit from Tissucol after 14 weeks; A — nerve fibers, B — perineurium, C — epineurium; staining with methylene blue and fuchsine
Figure 2
Figure 2. The rat sciatic nerve upon 14 weeks of regeneration:
(a) in a Reperen-based conduit; (b) in a Tissucol-based conduit (marked with a staple)
Figure 3
Figure 3. Regenerated rat sciatic nerve 1 mm distal to the conduit (after 14 weeks):
(a) with Reperen; (b) with Tissucol; A — nerve fibers, C — epineurium; staining with methylene blue and fuchsine
Figure 4
Figure 4. Position of the right hind limb after 14 weeks of nerve regeneration:
(a) with a conduit made of Reperen; (b) with a conduit made of Tissucol
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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