Transected sciatic nerve repair by diode laser protein soldering.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Despite advances in microsurgical techniques, repair of peripheral nerve injuries (PNI) is still a major challenge in regenerative medicine. The standard treatment for PNI includes suturing and anasthomosis of the transected nerve. The objective of this study was to compare neurorraphy (nerve repair) using standard suturingto diode laser protein soldering on the functional recovery of transected sciatic nerves. STUDY DESIGN/MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty adult male Fischer-344 Wistar rats were randomly assigned to 3 groups: 1. The control group, no repair, 2. the standard of care suture group, and 3. The laser/protein solder group. For all three groups, the sciatic nerve was transected and the repair was done immediately. For the suture repair group, 10.0 prolene suture was used and for the laser/protein solder group a diode laser (500mW output power) in combination with bovine serum albumen and indocyanine green dye was used. Behavioral assessment by sciatic functional index was done on all rats biweekly. At 12weeks post-surgery, EMG recordings were done on all the rats and the rats were euthanized for histological evaluation of the sciatic nerves. The one-way ANOVA test was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: The average time required to perform the surgery was significantly shorter for the laser-assisted nerve repair group compared to the suture group. The EMG evaluation revealed no difference between the two groups. Based on the sciatic function index the laser group was significantly better than the suture group after 12weeks (p<0.05). Histopathologic evaluation indicated that the epineurium recovery was better in the laser group (p<0.05). There was no difference in the inflammation between the suture and laser groups. CONCLUSION: Based on this evidence, laser/protein nerve soldering is a more efficient and efficacious method for repair of nerve injury compared to neurorraphy using standard suturing methods.

Promoting effect of percutaneous electrical stimulation on nerve regeneration after end-to-side neurorrhaphy in rats / 中国比较医学杂志

Objective To observe and explore the effect and clinical value of percutaneous electrical stimulation on nerve regeneration after end-to-side neurorrhaphy in rats. Methods Thirty-two SPF male S-D rats were randomly divided into four groups ( n = 8 ): group A, the normal control group; group B, with end to end neurorrhaphy of musculocutaneous nerve injury matched to the ulnar nerve; group C, with end to side neurorrhaphy of musculocutaneous nerve injury matched to the ulnar group; and group D, with end to side neurorrhaphy of musculocutaneous nerve injury matched to the ulnar nerve plus postoperative transcutaneous electrical stimulation ( 30 min per day for 6 weeks ) . Electromyography, postoperational nerve conduction velocity, the histological and ultrastructural changes of the nerve fibers were examined, and NF-200 expression in frozen sections was observed using imunohistological staining, to assess the recovery of muscle strength of the diseased side limb and the neuroregeneration in the rats after treatment. Results The amplitude and conduction velocity of the groups C and D were lower than that of the group A, the latency was higher than that of the group A, while the amplitude and conduction velocity of the group D were lower than that of the group C,and the latency was higher than that of the group C. The wet weight ratio of the biceps brachii muscle and the cross-sectional area of muscle fibers in the groups B, C and D were lower than those in the group A, and the recovery of muscle in the group C was the worst. The expression of NF-200 in the rats of groups B, C and D was significantly lower than that in the group A, and the expression of NF-200 in the group D was significantly higher than that in the group C, but still significantly less than that in the group B ( P < 0. 05 ) . Electron microscopy showed mature myelinated fibers in the group B, whereas unmyelinated fibers were the main component and the myelin sheath was poorly developed in the group C. The myelin regeneration in the group D was better than that in the group C, but still some unmyelinated nerve fibers were seen. Conclusions The percutaneous electrical stimulation can effectively promote nerve axonal regeneration and can delay the atrophy of the target muscle after end-to-side neurorrhaphy. Though there is difference compared with the end-to-end neurorrhaphy, the end-to-side neurorrhaphy is still an effective method in clinical repair of peripheral nerve injury.

Neurorrhaphy techniques: comparative stereological and experimental axonal study / Técnicas de neurorrafia: estudio experimental estereológico axonal comparativo

There is a great variety of injuries that affect peripheral nerves derived from acquired or congenital degenerative diseases affecting the central nervous system that cause loss of sensorimotor functions. The objective of this work was to perform an end-to-side or side-to-side experimental axonal stereological study in order to compare volume density of axons, endouneuro and myelin sheath (and muscle mass) in peroneal and tibial nerves, with anastomosis contact from 0.25 cm to 0.50 cm. After approval of the Ethics Committe, 20 male Wistar rats were divided into four groups of five rats each (G1= end-to-side neurorrhaphy; G2= side-to-side neurorrhaphy of 0.25 cm; G3= side-to-side neurorrhaphy of 0 cm and G4= Control of normality). After 180 days, fragments of peroneal and tibial nerves were collected for histological and stereological study. In comparative stereological experimental study between neurorraphies, the volume density of axons, myelin sheath of tibial and fibular nerves, as well as the post-surgical muscle mass, remains the same in end-to-side and side-to-side neurorraphies, regardless of contact area of anastomosis. It can be inferred, as surgical repair options, both end-to-side neurorrhaphy to recover and prevents atrophy of the endplate as side-to-side neurorraphy that is independent of the distance between the nerve stumps.

Gran variedad de lesiones atingen a los nervios periféricos, derivadas de enfermedades adquiridas o degenerativas congénitas que afectan la parte central del sistema nervioso y que ocasionan pérdida de funciones sensoriomotoras. El objetivo de ese trabajo fue realizar un estudio experimental estereológico axonal post neurorrafias termino-lateral o latero-lateral para comparar densidad de volumen de axones, endoneuro y vaina de mielina (así como masa muscular) en nervios fibular y tibial, con unión de contacto entre 0,25 cm y 0,50 cm. Tras la aprobación del comité de ética, fueran utilizados 20 ratones machos de la raza Wistar divididos en cuatro grupos de 5 ratones cada uno (G1= Neurorrafia término lateral; G2= Neurorrafia latero lateral de 0,25 cm; G3= Neurorrafia latero lateral de 0,50 cm y G4= Control). Posteriormente, fragmentos de los nervios tibiales y fibulares fueron procesados para estudios histológicos y estereológicos. En el estudio experimental estereológico comparativo entre neurorrafias termino-lateral y latero-lateral, la densidad de volumen de axones, endoneuro y vaina de mielina de nervios tibial y fibular y también la masa muscular post quirúrgica se mantuvo equitativa, independientemente del área de unión de contacto. Podemos inferir como opciones de reparación quirúrgica, que el tratamiento de la neurorrafia termino-lateral y latero-lateral previnen la atrofia de placa motora, independiente de la distancia entre los muñones nerviosos.

Estudio prospectivo de microcirugía experimental en neurorrafias con tensión / Prospective study of experimental microsurgery in stressor neurorefias

Objetivo: analizar en forma prospectiva la viabilidad de una neurorrafia mediante técnicas microquirúrgicas, en un modelo experimental con diferentes grados crecientes de pérdida de tejido nervioso periférico. Introducción: Para reparar un nervio periférico que tiene pérdida de tejido, clásicamente este defecto se suple por un injerto autólogo. Sin embargo, se produce comorbilidad en el sitio dador y sus resultados siempre son inferiores a la sutura directa sin tensión. Existe una opción para evitar el uso de injertos cuando el defecto es escaso, colocando puntos epineurales distales (PED) a la neurorrafia, eliminando así la tensión en dicha unión. Materiales y métodos: Se utilizaron 40 ratas Wistar, dividiéndose aleatoriamente en 4 grupos. Bajo anestesia general se abordó al nervio ciático y se efectuó sección trasversal y sutura simple con nylon 10.0 al grupo A (control). Se realizó exéresis de 2 mm de nervio al grupo B, de 4 mm al grupo C y de 6 mm al grupo D; para luego realizar PED. Se realizaron determinaciones de índice de función ciático (análisis de las huellas), velocidad de conducción (electrofisiología) e índice de regeneración (histopatología) para evaluar la viabilidad de la neurorrafia. Se confrontaron los diferentes grupos planteados con ANOVA, considerando significativo un valor de p < 0.05. Conclusiones:La neurorrafia simple no evidencia diferencias estadísticamente significativas con la reparación de 2mm de pérdida de tejido mediante PED en la rata Wistar.

Objective: To analyze, in a prospective way, the viability of a neurorraphy by a microsurgical technique, in an experimental model with different increasing grades of peripheral nerve tissue loss.Introduction: In order to repair a peripheral nerve that has experienced some grade of substance loss, autologous grafts have been used by most neurosurgeons. However, comorbidities in the donor site are produced, and the results obtained are always inferior compared to the ones achieved by using a direct suture without tension. There is an option to avoid using grafts when the defect is scarce, which is the confection of distal epineural sutures (DES) to the neurorraphy, discarding any tension in this junction site.Materials and methods: We have used 40 Wistar rats, randomly separated into 4 groups. In ‘Group A’, under complete anesthesia, the sciatic nerve was dissected and transversely sectioned and then sutured with a 10.0 nylon suture. Furthermore we made a 2 mm extirpation in ‘Group B’, a 4 mm one in ‘Group C’ and a 6 mm one in ‘Group C’, in order to perform a DES technique. Our group also ran a sciatic nerve function test (footprint analysis), conduction speed (by electrophysiology), and even determined the nerve regeneration index (histopathology) to estimate the viability of the neurorraphy. The different groups were confronted with ANOVA, considering a value of p<0.05 as statistically significative.Conclusions: Simple neurorraphy exposed no statistically significative differences in comparison to the reparation of a 2 mm tissue loss with DES technique, in the Wistar rat model.

Conservative surgical and microsurgical techniques for the management of dental implants that impinge on the inferior alveolar nerve.

Loss of sensation in the lip after insertion of an implant is annoying. The aim of this paper was to describe two techniques for management of osseointegrated dental implants that impinge on the mandibular nerve, the purpose of which is to improve sensation without unscrewing the dental implant.

Effects of eliminating tension by means of epineural stitches: a comparative electrophysiological and histomorphometrical study using different suture techniques in an animal model / Avaliação dos efeitos da eliminação da tensão através de ancoramento epineural: estudo experimental comparando resultados eletrofisiológicos e histomorfométricos após diferentes técnicas de reparo no nervo

Epineural stitches are a means to avoid tension in a nerve suture. We evaluate this technique, relative to interposed grafts and simple neurorraphy, in a rat model. METHOD: Twenty rats were allocated to four groups. For Group 1, sectioning of the sciatic nerve was performed, a segment 4 mm long discarded, and epineural suture with distal anchoring stitches were placed resulting in slight tension neurorraphy. For Group 2, a simple neurorraphy was performed. For Group 3, a 4 mm long graft was employed and Group 4 served as control. Ninety days after, reoperation, latency of motor action potentials recording and axonal counts were performed. Inter-group comparison was done by means of ANOVA and the non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis test. RESULTS: The mean motor latency for the simple suture (2.27±0.77 ms) was lower than for the other two surgical groups, but lower than among controls (1.69±0.56 ms). Similar values were founding in both group 1 (2.66±0.71 ms) and group 3 (2.64±0.6 ms). When fibers diameters were compared a significant difference was identified between groups 2 and 3 (p=0.048). CONCLUSION: Good results can be obtained when suturing a nerve employ with epineural anchoring stitches. However, more studies are needed before extrapolating results to human nerve sutures.

A aproximação através de pontos epineurais é uma forma de se reduzir a tensão numa neurorrafia. Neste estudo esta técnica é avaliada através da sua comparação com a interposição de enxertos e neurorrafia simples num modelo experimental utilizando o rato. MÉTODO: Vinte ratos foram utilizados e divididos em 4 grupos. No Grupo 1, após a ressecção de 4 mm, os cotos do nervo foram aproximados através de pontos de ancoramento epineurais e suturados com tensão. No Grupo 2, uma neurorrafia simples foi realizada após secção do nervo. No Grupo 3, um enxerto de 4 mm foi utilizado para o reparo e o Grupo 4 foi utilizado como controle. Noventa dias após, os nervos foram novamente expostos e a medida da latência do potencial de ação motor e a contagem axonal foram realizados. A comparação entre os grupos foi realizada através da comparação entre as médias (ANOVA) e com o teste não-paramétrico de Kruskal-Wallis. RESULTADOS: A média da latência motora na sutura simples (2,27±0,77 ms) foi menor em relação aos outros dois grupos onde o nervo foi seccionado e reparado e maior que o grupo controle (1,69±0,56 ms). Resultados semelhantes foram identificados nos grupos 1 (2,66±0,71 ms) e 3 (2,64±0,6 ms). Uma diferença significativa diâmetros das fibras foi identificada quando comparados os grupos 2 e 3 (p=0,048). CONCLUSÃO: Resultados equiparáveis aos obtidos com enxerto podem ser obtidos quando a neurorrafia é realizada com pontos epineurais de ancoramento com tensão, mas estudos adicionais são necessários antes desses resultados serem extrapolados para o reparo de nervo em seres humanos.

Enxerto venoso preenchido com gordura no reparo de nervo periférico: uma nova proposta / Vein graft fulfilled with fat in peripheral nerve repair: a new proposal

Com o avanço da tecnologia e a conseqüente produção de equipamentos mais sofisticados, a microcirurgia vem ganhando cada vez mais espaço no campo da investigação experimental referente a recuperação de nervos periféricos. É sabido que no caso de uma simples secção do nervo, sem perda tecidual, a neurorrafia término-terminal é a técnica mais aconselhável. Porém, em uma situação onde ocorre perda de tecido nervoso ou, quando não se têm mais o coto distal do nervo, outras técnicas devem ser empregadas, mesmo porque, não se pode de forma alguma tracionar o nervo numa tentativa de coaptá-lo novamente. Assim várias técnicas de tubulização utilizando-se de materiais biológicos (vasos, nervos, músculos, pericárdio, veia e músculo combinado, moléculas de adesão, etc) ou não biológicos (tubos de polietileno, silicone, etc) estão sendo testados com resultados ainda insatisfatórios, principalmente sob o ponto de vista funcional. É sabido que em um trauma sem perda tecidual, numa neuropraxia, por exemplo, o nervo recupera espontaneamente de forma satisfatória. É sabido também que em um feixe vásculo-nervoso, o nervo periférico encontra-se em íntimo contato com a adventícia de artérias e veias. A adventícia dos vasos é constituída por tecido conjuntivo frouxo, rico em adipócitos. Assim, em um trauma, os neuritos oriundos do coto proximal do nervo lesado, ficam diretamente em contato com esses adipócitos. Seguindo este raciocínio, e com base em trabalhos anteriores onde foi usada veia preenchida com músculo esquelético a fresco como enxerto, decidimos testar a possibilidade de crescimento axonal por meio de enxerto venoso preenchido por tecido adiposo autólogo. Para tanto foi utilizada a veia jugular externa do rato preenchido com tecido adiposo in natura retirado das adjacências da referida veia, na tentativa de se recuperar o nervo ciático e um de seus ramos, o nervo fibular comum. A certificação do sucesso da recuperação do nervo foi feita por meio da análise...

With technology advance and the resultant production of more sophisticated equipment, microsurgery has been obtaining more attention in the experimental investigation field referred to peripheral nerves repair. It is know that in case of simple nerve section, without tissue loss, the end-to-side-neurorraphy is the most recommended technique. However, in each situation where nerve tissue loss occurs or, when there is no nerve distal stump anymore, other techniques should be used, precisely because the nerve cannot be put on traction to try nerve coaptation. Thus, many tubulization techniques which use biological materials (veins, nerves, muscles, pericardium, veins and muscles combined, adherence molecule) or non-biological materials (polyethylene tubes, silicon, among others) are being tested and the results has been unsatisfactory yet, especially concerning functional point of view. It is known that in trauma without tissue loss, like neuropraxy, for example, the nerve recovers spontaneously in a satisfactory way. It is also known that in a vascular-nervous bundle, the peripheral nerve is very closed to arteries and veins adventitious layer. The vein adventitious is built by weak conjunctive tissue, which is rich in fat cells. Thus, in a trauma, the neurites, derived from proximal stump of injured nerve, have direct contact with the fat cells. Following this argumentation and based on previous works that used vein fulfilled with fresh skeleton muscle as graft, we have decided to test the possibility of axon growth through vein graft fulfilled with autologous fat tissue. To achieve this, it was used rats external jugular vein fulfilled with in natura fat tissue removed from the adjacencies of the referred vein, in a trial to recover the sciatic nerve and one of its branches, the common peroneal nerve. The certification of successful nerve recovering was done through the analysis of nerves (Sciatic and Common Peroneal Nerve) and muscles...

Surgical Treatment of Brachial Plexus Injury / 대한정형외과학회잡지

The author has reviewed 62 patients with brachial plexus injuries who treated at Department of orthopaedic Surgery, Kyung Hee University Hospital during the period from Dec. 1978 to June 1985. Among these, conservative treatment was performed in 8 patients, 64 cases of 54 patients were treated by 4 types of operation, that is, exploration with neurolysis, neurorraphy, nerve graft and neurotization for restoration of elbow flexion, wrist, finger flexion and shoulder abduction. The patients were followed up more than one year to five years and eight months, average being two yesrs and six months. The whole arm type injury was the most common. The trunk level was the most common. The prognosis of whole arm type was the most severe. And the prognosis of supraclavicular lesion was worse than that of infraclavicular. There were two types of treatment, conservative treatment in 8 patients, operative treatment in 54 patients. By comparing results according to methods of treatment, neurotization with intercostal nerve were useful in avulsion cases of unsatisfactory results following neurolysis, neurorraphy and nerve graft. The operation time of the first three months to six months after injury gave the best chance of success. The result of conservative treatment in all 8 patients was poor.