The neural regeneration effect of chitin biological absorbable tubes bridging sciatic nerve defects with sural nerve grafts

摘要

Objective: To investigate the feasibility and efficacy of sural nerve grafts for repairing sciatic nerve defects using a chitin biological absorbable tube bridge. Methods: A sciatic nerve defect model in the rat was produced, and the sural nerve, cut from the ipsilateral leg, was used as a graft to repair the defect using chitin biological absorbable tube bridges. Then the number and morphology of regenerating myelinated fibers, nerve function index, nerve conduction velocity, and motor end plate and triceps surae muscle morphology were evaluated. Results: The number and morphology of regenerated fibers, nerve function index, nerve conduction velocity, and motor end plate and triceps surae muscle morphology were improved in rats in which the nerve defect was bridged with chitin biological absorbable tubes compared with rats in which the defect was repaired without tubes. Conclusions: The findings suggest that using a sural nerve graft to repair sciatic nerve defects with chitin biological absorbable tubes bridge promotes structural and functional recovery, and improves end plate and muscle fiber morphology as well.