title: Successful Reconstruction of Nerve Defects Using Distraction Neurogenesis with a New Experimental Device.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Repair of peripheral nerve injuries is an intensive area of challenge and research in modern reconstructive microsurgery. Intensive research is being carried out to develop effective alternatives to the standard nerve autografting, avoiding its drawbacks. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a newly designed mechanical device for the reconstruction of the sciatic nerve in rats in comparison to nerve autografting and to assess the pain during the period of distraction neurogenesis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fourteen Sprague Dawley rats were used and randomly assigned into 2 groups with 7 rats in each group; group A (Nerve Autografting group) in which a 10-mm segment of the sciatic nerve was resected and rotated 180 degrees, then primary end-to-end neurorrhaphy was performed in the reverse direction; group B (Nerve Lengthening group) in which the mechanical device was inserted after surgical resection of 10 mm of the sciatic nerve, then secondary end-to-end neurorrhaphy was performed after completing the nerve lengthening. Thirteen weeks later, assessment of the functional sciatic nerve recovery using static sciatic index (SSI) was performed. Furthermore, fourteen weeks after the nerve resection, assessment of the nerve regeneration with electrophysiological study and histological analysis were performed. Also, gastrocnemius wet weight was measured. For pain assessment in group B, Rat Grimace Scale (RGS) score was used.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significantly better functional recovery rate (using the SSI) was reported in the nerve lengthening group in comparison to autografting group. Also, a statistically significant higher nerve conduction velocity was detected in the nerve lengthening group. On histological analysis of the distal nerve section at 3 mm distal to the nerve repair site, significant myelin sheath thickness was detected in the nerve lengthening group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Distraction neurogenesis with the new experimental device is a reliable therapeutic method for the reconstruction of nerve defects.
authors.affiliation: Experimental Surgery and Microsurgery Research Unit, Department of Clinical Surgical Science, Faculty of Medicine, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: Mohamed Abdelhamid Ali
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Yousef
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Dionigi
authors.affiliation: Experimental Surgery and Microsurgery Research Unit, Department of Clinical Surgical Science, Faculty of Medicine, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: Stefania
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Marconi
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Calligaro
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: Antonia Icaro
authors.initials: AI
authors.lastname: Cornaglia
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurophysiopatholoy, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico "C. Mondino", Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: Enrico
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Alfonsi
authors.affiliation: Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Faculty of Engineering, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: Ferdinando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Auricchio
keywords: Nerve lengthening; Nerve regeneration; Peripheral nerve injuries