title: The effects of delayed nerve repair on nerve regeneration in a silicone chamber model.
abstract: The silicone chamber model for nerve regeneration is suitable to test the effects of exogenous agents or surgical manipulations on nerve regeneration. The total 16-day regeneration period used in this model makes it possible to analyze the effects of certain manipulations on the sequential advancement of the individual cellular components (circumferential perineurial-like cells, vessels, Schwann cells, axons, and myelin) into the chamber fibrin matrix. In the present study we compared the effects on cellular migration of a 7 day delayed chamber repair vs. chamber repair immediately after transection (control chambers) of the rat sciatic nerve. Regeneration was evaluated with light and electron microscopic techniques. Chambers implanted after a delay of 7 days had a statistically significant more advanced migration of vessels, Schwann cells, and axons from the proximal nerve stump and also a significantly increased vascular density as compared to control chambers. We conclude that a 7 day delayed nerve repair stimulates nerve regeneration in this specific silicone chamber model.
authors.affiliation: Departments of Experimental Research and Hand Surgery, Malmö General Hospital, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Danielsen
authors.forename: B R
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Johansson
authors.forename: L B
authors.initials: LB
authors.lastname: Dahlin