Article
Validation of a Novel Rabbit Model of Compression Neuropathy in the Setting of Perineural Adhesion
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Published: | February 6, 2020 |
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Objectives/Interrogation: Nerve injury initiates an inflammatory cascade that results in nerve scarring, fibrosis, and adhesions, leading to development of compression neuropathy. Rabbit nerve models more closely mimic human biology. This study sought to develop a novel, rabbit model to simulate compression neuropathy secondary to perineural adhesion.
Methods: Sciatic nerves of five adult, 3-4 kg New Zealand White Rabbits were surgically-exposed. Left hindlimbs underwent sham surgery. Perineural adhesions were generated via bipolar electrocautery on 10 mm of the nerve bed, and the epineurium was fixed with microsuture to the cauterized wound bed (right). Rabbits were maintained for six weeks. Exposure of the sciatic nerve was performed bilaterally, with proximal and distal nerve transection, at which point peak pull-out force (N) required to break adhesions via pulley-mounting on a uniaxial biomechanical testing frame was measured (Figure 1 [Fig. 1]). Peak pull-out force was compared using unpaired Wilcoxons rank sum test. Tibialis anterior (TA) muscles were harvested bilaterally, and muscle mass (grams) was compared between hindlimbs.
Results and Conclusions: Scarred nerves required greater peak pull-out force than control nerves (2.51 N vs. 0.50 N, p=0.021) (Figure 2 [Fig. 2]). TA muscle mass was significantly lower in the setting of induced neuropathy when compared to sham surgery (6.56 g vs. 8.52 g, p<0.001). We developed and validated a model to simulate compression neuropathy. Additionally, we created a novel means to measure peak pull-force required to break perineural adhesion as a quantitative surrogate for perineural scar. This model will provide surgeons a validated, animal model to pursue translational study of compression neuropathy.