title: Reduction of neural scarring after peripheral nerve suture: an experimental study about collagen membrane and autologous vein wrapping.
abstract: The effects of a collagen membrane and a technique of autologous vein wrapping on scar formation after peripheral nerve suture are investigated. Forty-eight sciatic nerves from Wistar rats were transected and repaired, then allocated to a control group C (n=16) and two experimental groups: in group A (n=16) the repair line was covered by the collagen membrane, and in group B (n=16) the repair line was wrapped by an external jugular venous graft. Three months later, it was observed that adhesions in the surrounding tissues were significantly less in groups A and B compared to group C, and significantly less in group A than in the group B. Histological analysis revealed no significant reduction of extraneural or intraneural scar tissue in groups A or B compared to group C. However intraneural fibrosis was significantly less in the group A than in the group B. It was concluded that the collagen membrane was effective in reducing neural scar formation after peripheral nerve suture. Autologous vein wrapping also showed a favorable effect in this indication despite less successful histological outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Hand Surgery Unit, Orthopaedics and Trauma Department, Paris-Descartes University, Sorbonne Paris-Cité, Georges-Pompidou European Hospital (HEGP), AP-HP, 20, rue Leblanc, 75908 Paris cedex 15, France.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Mathieu
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Adam
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Legagneux
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bruneval
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Masmejean
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003094:Collagen / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D009416:Nerve Regeneration; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012584:Sciatic Nerve / Q000187:drug effects / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery*; D013536:Suture Techniques; D013997:Time Factors; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014680:Veins / Q000637:transplantation*
chemical_list: D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D003094:Collagen