Regeneration of rat sciatic nerve across a LactoSorb bioresorbable conduit with interposed short-segment nerve grafts.
OBJECTIVE
This study was conducted to evaluate peripheral nerve regeneration through a conduit composed of a bioresorbable material (LactoSorb).


METHODS
Sprague-Dawley rats weighing approximately 250 g were randomized into five groups. A 20-mm-long sciatic nerve gap was created, then it was bridged by a reverse nerve autograft (Group I), an empty silicone tube (Group II), a silicone tube containing a short (2-mm) interposed nerve segment (Group III), an empty LactoSorb conduit (Group IV), or a LactoSorb conduit containing a 2-mm interposed nerve segment (Group V). The intact sciatic nerve served as the control in each animal. At 16 weeks postoperatively, no nerve regeneration was observed through either the empty silicone tube or the empty LactoSorb conduit. There was regeneration in all animals receiving the reverse autograft as well as in all animals receiving the silicone or LactoSorb conduit containing the 2-mm interposed nerve segment. Effective regeneration was assessed based on histological, electrophysiological, and morphometric criteria.


CONCLUSIONS
The results indicate that a conduit made of resorbable material will support sciatic nerve regeneration over a critical gap defect.
Francel
Paul C
PC
Department of Neurosurgery, University of Oklahoma, Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73104, USA. Paul-Francel@ouhsc.edu
Smith
Kevin S
KS
Stevens
F Alan
FA
Kim
Soon C
SC
Gossett
James
J
Gossett
Cynthia
C
Davis
Mark E
ME
Lenaerts
Marc
M
Tompkins
Paul
P
D020341:Absorbable Implants; D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D023421:Models, Animal; D009416:Nerve Regeneration / Q000502:physiology*; D010525:Peripheral Nerves / Q000637:transplantation*; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000077182:Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; D011108:Polymers / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012584:Sciatic Nerve / Q000502:physiology*; D012828:Silicones / Q000627:therapeutic use
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D011108:Polymers; D012828:Silicones; D000077182:Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid; D019344:Lactic Acid