Anatomical description of the ventral and dorsal cervical rootlets in rats: A microsurgical study

Purpose: To describe the anatomical aspects of the cervical rootlets and to quantify the number of rootlets that compose C1 to T1. Methods: Twenty male rats were used in this study. The dorsal rootlets from C1 to T1 were analyzed. To study the ventral rootlets, the posterior root avulsion was performed using a microhook, allowing exposure of the ventral roots through manipulation of the denticulate ligament and arachnoid mater. The parameters analyzed were the number of ventral and dorsal rootlets by side and level. Results: The formation of the respective spinal nerve was observed in the spinal roots the union of the ventral and dorsal roots. In four animals the C1 spinal root had no dorsal and/or ventral contribution. There is no normal pattern of numerical normality of the dorsal and ventral rootlets. The average number of fascicles per root was 4.08, with a slight superiority on the left side. There was a slight superiority of the dorsal rootlets compared to the ventral rootlets. Conclusions: This investigation was the first to study cervical rootlets in rats. In 20% of the sample studied, the dorsal root of C1 was absent mainly on the left side. There is a nonlinear numerical increase from C1 to T1 in the rootlets. There is a numerical predominance of cervical fascicles on the left side, confronting several studies related to the functional predominance of right laterality, requiring new studies that correlate these variables.

Anacardium occidentale L. (cajueiro) in the healing of skin wounds: an experimental study in rats

Purpose: To analyze the effects of Anacardium occidentale Linn on the healing of skin wounds. Methods: Twenty Wistar male rats were distributed into four groups (with five animals each one): negative control group (NCG), treated with saline solution; cashew tree group (CG), treated with hydroalcoholic extract of the bark of A. occidentale Linn; manipulated cashew tree group (MCG), with the ointment of extract of the bark of A. occidentale Linn; positive control group (PCG), treated with sunflower oil. All animals were examined daily, observing the macroscopic aspects of the surgical wound. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was used for tissue morphology analysis and Masson's trichrome for better collagen fiber characterization. Results: On day 7, the MCG group had the expansion of the surgical wound covered by crust, exceeding the initial limits. On day 21, the wounds were observed to be completely closed and epithelialized in the NCG and CG groups. PCG and MCG still had remnants of crusts on the wound. The NCG was the only one not to present an abscess in histopathological analysis. Conclusions: There was a prolongation of the healing phase of the animals treated with the extract, and the animals in the NCG showed a better outcome by histological analysis.

A new anesthetic protocol to medullary nerve roots access in rats

ABSTRACT Purpose: To describe a new anesthetic protocol medullary and nerve roots access and in Rattus norvegicus. Methods: Seventy female Wistar rats (n=70) were used. The animals were randomly divided into two laminectomy groups: cervical (n=40) and thoracic (n=30). In cervical group, a right posterior hemilaminectomy was performed to access the nerve roots. In thoracic group, a laminectomy of the eighth thoracic vertebra was accomplished. Thirty-five rats (20 cervical and 15 thoracic) were submitted to old anesthetic protocol (ketamine 70 mg/kg plus xylazine 10 mg/kg); and the 35 other animals (20 cervical and 15 thoracic) were submitted to a new anesthetic protocol (ketamine 60 mg/kg,xylazine 8 mg/kg and fentanyl 0.03 mg/kg). Results: The time to complete induction was 4.15 ±1.20 minin ketamine, xylazine and fentanyl group, and it was 4.09 ±1.47 min in the ketamine and xylazine group. There was no correlation in the time required to perform the cervical laminectomy in the old anesthetic protocol. In all groups, the animals submitted to the old anesthetic protocol had a higher level of pain on the first and third postoperative days than the animals submitted to the new anesthetic protocol. Conclusions: The new anesthetic protocol reduces the surgical time, allows better maintenance of the anesthetic plan, and brings more satisfactory postoperative recovery.

Image-guided study of swine anatomy as a tool for urologic surgery research and training

Purpose: To describe the anatomy of the swine urinary system using computed tomography and to discuss the role of this animal as an experimental model for urological procedures. Methods: Three male Landrace pigs underwent computed tomography and the anatomy of the urinary system and renal circulation was analyzed and described. Results: In all animals, 2 kidneys, 2 ureters and one bladder were identified. Each kidney presented a single renal artery vascularization, with a mean diameter on the right of 4.45 and 5.31 mm on the left (p < 0.0001) and single renal vein drainage, with a mean diameter on the right of 5.78 and 5.82 mm on the left (p = 0.0336). The average renal length was 9.85 cm on the right and 10.30 cm on the left (p < 0.0001). The average renal volume was 113.70 cm3 on the right and 109.70 cm3 on the left (p 0.0001). The average length of the ureter was 19.78 cm on the right and 22.08 cm on the left (p < 0.0001). The average bladder volume was 423.70 cm3. Conclusions: The data obtained show similarities with human anatomy, suggesting the viability of the swine model for planning preclinical trials, basic research, refinement in experimental surgery and surgical training for urological procedures.(AU)

Influence of tramadol on functional recovery of acute spinal cord injury in rats

Purpose:To evaluate the influence tramadol on functional recovery of acute spinal cord injury in rats.Methods:Ten rats were divided into two groups (n = 5). All animals were submitted by a laminectomy and spinal cord injury at eighth thoracic vertebra. In control group, the rats didnt receive any analgesic. In tramadol group, the rats received tramadol 4mg/Kg at 12/12h until 5 days by subcutaneous. Animals were following by fourteen days. Was evaluated the Basso, Beattie, Bresnahan scale (locomotor evaluation) and Rat Grimace Scale (pain evaluation) at four periods.Results:There no difference between the groups in locomotor evaluation in all periods evaluated (p>0.05) and in both groups there was a partial recover of function. The tramadol group show a lower pain levels at the first, third and seventh postoperatively days when comparing to the control group.Conclusion:The tramadol as an analgesic agent dont influence on functional recovery of acute spinal cord injury in rats.(AU)