Experimental in vivo regeneration of peripheral nerve axons and perineurium guided by resorbable collagen film.
In our previous paper, we reported a marked advantage in using collagen gel matrix available for cell culture in combination with a silicone tube as an effective environment for axonal sprouting during peripheral nerve regeneration. In the present experiment, collagen film was substituted for the silicone tube because of its non-toxicity, biocompatibility and better availability. Also, the surgical procedure was simplified, using a fibrin adhesive system instead of suturing. In the second postoperative week, severed proximal and distal stumps became joined together concomitantly with absorption of the collagen matrix and film. On size-frequency histograms, the diameters of both myelinated and unmyelinated axons at 8 weeks after surgery had recovered to their normal ranges. These findings demonstrate that this procedure of enveloping a collagen matrix and severed nerve stumps in bioresorbable collagen film would be an ideal way of forming a perfect perineurium. The regeneration of peripheral nerve axons resulted in normal thickness of the original nerve bundle without exception, unlike the axons on the control side.
Takahashi
M
M
Clinical Laboratory, Pathology Division, Tokyo Metropolitan Toshima General Hospital, Japan.
Satou
T
T
Hashimoto
S
S
D000818:Animals; D001369:Axons / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D003094:Collagen; D046508:Culture Techniques; D008297:Male; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D009416:Nerve Regeneration; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D012584:Sciatic Nerve / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013194:Staining and Labeling
D003094:Collagen