Functional nerve recovery after bridging a 15 mm gap in rat sciatic nerve with a biodegradable nerve guide.
Recovery of nerve function was evaluated after bridging a 15 mm sciatic nerve gap in 51 rats with a biodegradable poly(DL-lactide-epsilon-caprolactone) nerve guide. Recovery of function was investigated by analysing the footprints, by analysing video recordings of gait, by electrically eliciting the withdrawal reflex, by nerve conduction velocity and by electromyography (EMG). Sensory nerve function recovered as measured by electrostimulation. Motor nerve function partly recovered but electromyograms remained abnormal throughout the study. We conclude that functional reinnervation by regenerating axons occurs after bridging a 15 mm nerve gap with a biodegradable poly(DL-lactide-epsilon-caprolactone) nerve guide, but the walking patterns remain abnormal. Video analysis is a useful tool to record and analyse the walking patterns of rats. Further studies are necessary to investigate the possibility of obtaining selective reinnervation of specific muscles.
Meek
M F
MF
Department of Plastic Surgery, University Hospital Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands. marcelfmeek@hotmail.com
van der Werff
J F A
JF
Klok
F
F
Robinson
P H
PH
Nicolai
J P A
JP
Gramsbergen
A
A
D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004594:Electrophysiology / Q000379:methods; D005684:Gait / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D009416:Nerve Regeneration / Q000502:physiology*; D011091:Polyesters / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012584:Sciatic Nerve / Q000502:physiology*; D016138:Walking
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D011091:Polyesters; C062968:lactide-caprolactone copolymer