title: A simple and reliable method to perform biomechanical evaluation of postoperative nerve adhesions.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Perineural fibrotic adhesions are among the major complications of peripheral nerve surgery. While different experimental models have been used for the pre-clinical testing of anti-adherential strategies, the methods used so far to induce scar tissue appear to be poorly standardized and reproducible.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty adult mice were used. Two methods were tested: the first one is based on burning the perineural muscular bed with a diathermocoagulator, while the second is based on direct scratching of the nerve surface with a cotton swab. After 3 weeks, the fibrotic reaction was assessed by measuring the peak pull out force of the nerve from muscular bed by means of a new tool specifically devised for biomechanical assessment of scar tissue formation. Moreover, histological analysis with specific collagen stain was also carried out.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Both methods produced fibrotic reaction. Statistical analysis of biomechanical data showed a significant difference between burning and scratching group compared to the control sham operated group. No significant differences were detected between burning and scratching group. Histological analysis showed the presence of perineural scar tissue in both groups, though with a different distribution pattern.
  
  
  METHODS
  This protocol is easier to perform. The tool used for biomechanical evaluation is reliable and cheap.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Both methods for perineural scar formation are effective and simple. They represent reproducible models for the study of the anti-adherential strategies. Yet, biomechanical testing with the device that we have developed proved to be a reliable and simple method for the quantitative assessment of the degree of perineural adhesion formation.
authors.affiliation: Reconstructive Microsurgery Unit, Traumatology Department, CTO Hospital, Via Zuretti 29, 10100 Turin, Italy.
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Crosio
authors.affiliation: Plastic Surgery Unit, Department of Biotechnologies and Sciences of Life, University of Insubria/Varese, Via JH Dunant 3, 21100 Varese, Italy.
authors.forename: Luigi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Valdatta
authors.affiliation: Plastic Surgery Unit, Department of Biotechnologies and Sciences of Life, University of Insubria/Varese, Via JH Dunant 3, 21100 Varese, Italy.
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cherubino
authors.affiliation: Plastic Surgery Unit, Department of Biotechnologies and Sciences of Life, University of Insubria/Varese, Via JH Dunant 3, 21100 Varese, Italy.
authors.forename: Matteo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Izzo
authors.affiliation: Plastic Surgery Unit, Department of Biotechnologies and Sciences of Life, University of Insubria/Varese, Via JH Dunant 3, 21100 Varese, Italy.
authors.forename: Igor
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Pellegatta
authors.affiliation: Human Anatomy Laboratory, Clinical and Biological Sciences Department, University of Turin, AOU San Luigi Gonzaga, Regione Gonzole 10, 10043 Orbassano, Italy.
authors.forename: Davide
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pascal
authors.affiliation: Human Anatomy Laboratory, Clinical and Biological Sciences Department, University of Turin, AOU San Luigi Gonzaga, Regione Gonzole 10, 10043 Orbassano, Italy. Electronic address: stefano.geuna@unito.it.
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Geuna
authors.affiliation: Reconstructive Microsurgery Unit, Traumatology Department, CTO Hospital, Via Zuretti 29, 10100 Turin, Italy.
authors.forename: Pierluigi
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Tos
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D002056:Burns; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012584:Sciatic Nerve / Q000293:injuries; D000267:Tissue Adhesions / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*
keywords: Compressive neuropathy; Nerve adhesion; Perineural fibrosis; Post surgical adhesion