Seeding nerve sutures with minced nerve-graft (MINE-G): a simple method to improve nerve regeneration in rats. Issue 1 (2nd January 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: D'Arpa, Salvatore; Zabbia, Giovanni; Cannizzaro, Carla; Salimbeni, Grazia; Plescia, Fulvio; Mariolo, Alessio Vincenzo; Cassata, Giovanni; Cicero, Luca; Puleio, Roberto; Martorana, Anna; Moschella, Francesco; Cordova, Adriana
• Is Part Of: Acta chirurgica belgica. Volume 118:Issue 1(2018)
• Page Start: 27
• Page End: 35
• Publication Date: 2018-01-02
• Subjects: Nerve graft -- nerve regeneration -- rat sciatic nerve -- nerve reconstruction; Surgery -- Periodicals; General Surgery; Chirurgie -- Périodiques; Surgery; Chirurgie (geneeskunde); Periodicals; Periodicals; 617.005
• DOI: 10.1080/00015458.2017.1353237
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0001-5458

Abstract

Abstract: Background: The aim of this study was to assess the effect of seeding the distal nerve suture with nerve fragments in rats. Methods: On 20 rats, a 15 mm sciatic nerve defect was reconstructed with a nerve autograft. In the Study Group (10 rats), a minced 1 mm nerve segment was seeded around the nerve suture. In the Control Group (10 rats), a nerve graft alone was used. At 4 and 12 weeks, a walking track analysis with open field test (WTA), hystomorphometry (number of myelinated fibers ( n ), fiber density (FD) and fiber area (FA) and soleus and gastrocnemius muscle weight ratios (MWR) were evaluated. The Student t-test was used for statistical analysis. Results: At 4 and 12 weeks the Study Group had a significantly higher n and FD ( p = .043 and .033). The SMWR was significantly higher in the Study Group at 12 weeks ( p = .0207). Conclusions: Seeding the distal nerve suture with nerve fragments increases the number of myelinated fibers, the FD and the SMWR. The technique seems promising and deserves further investigation to clarify the mechanisms involved and its functional effects.