Laser-activated solid protein bands for peripheral nerve repair: an vivo study.
OBJECTIVE
Severed tibial nerves in rats were repaired using a novel technique, utilizing a semiconductor diode-laser-activated protein solder applied longitudinally across the join. Welding was produced by selective laser denaturation of solid solder bands containing the dye indocyanine green.


METHODS
An in vivo study, using 48 adult male Wistar rats, compared conventional microsuture-repaired tibial nerves with laser solder-repaired nerves. Nerve repairs were characterised immediately after surgery and after 3 months.


RESULTS
Successful regeneration with average compound muscle action potentials of 2.5 +/- 0.5 mV and 2.7 +/- 0.3 mV (mean and standard deviation) was demonstrated for the laser-soldered nerves and the sutured nerves, respectively. Histopathology confirmed comparable regeneration of axons in laser- and suture-operated nerves.


CONCLUSIONS
The laser-based nerve repair technique was easier and faster than microsuture repair, minimising manipulation damage to the nerve.
Lauto
A
A
School of Mathematics, Physics, Computing and Electronics, Macquarie University, North Ryde, Australia.
Trickett
R
R
Malik
R
R
Dawes
J M
JM
Owen
E R
ER
D000200:Action Potentials; D000818:Animals; D004396:Coloring Agents; D007208:Indocyanine Green; D053685:Laser Therapy; D007834:Lasers; D008297:Male; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000294:innervation / Q000502:physiology; D009416:Nerve Regeneration; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012710:Serum Albumin, Bovine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D013537:Sutures; D013718:Tensile Strength; D013979:Tibial Nerve / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*
D004396:Coloring Agents; D012710:Serum Albumin, Bovine; D007208:Indocyanine Green