scholarly journals Establishment of a Sheep Model for Hind limb Peripheral Nerve Injury: Common Peroneal Nerve

Author(s):  
Rui D. Alvites ◽  
Mariana V. Branquinho ◽  
Ana Catarina Sousa ◽  
Federica Zen ◽  
Monica Maurina ◽  
...  

Thousands of people worldwide suffer from injuries in the peripheral nerve and deal daily with the resulting physiological and functional deficits. Recent advances in this field are still insufficient to guarantee effective outcomes, and the development of new and effective therapeutic options requires the use of valid preclinical models that effectively replicate the characteristics and challenges associated with these injuries in humans. In this study, we established a sheep model for common peroneal nerve injuries that can be applied in preclinical research with the advantages associated with the use of large animal models. In an integrative way, this article includes a detailed description of the anatomy and functionality of the peripheral nerves of sheep’s hind limb, the surgical protocol for accessing the common peroneal nerve, the induction of different types of nerve damage and the application of possible therapeutic options. A neurological exam protocol directed to the common peroneal nerve was also established, allowing to identify the changes and deficits related with the nerve injury and to evaluate the functional progression over time. Finally, a preliminary stereological study was carried out to establish control values for the healthy peroneal common nerves of this model and to identify preliminary differences between therapeutic methods. The ultimate goal is to demonstrate that sheep is a valid model of peripheral nerve injury to be used in pre-clinical and translational works and to evaluate the efficacy and safety of nerve injury therapeutic options before its clinical application in human and veterinary patients.

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 1401
Author(s):  
Rui D. Alvites ◽  
Mariana V. Branquinho ◽  
Ana C. Sousa ◽  
Federica Zen ◽  
Monica Maurina ◽  
...  

Thousands of people worldwide suffer from peripheral nerve injuries and must deal daily with the resulting physiological and functional deficits. Recent advances in this field are still insufficient to guarantee adequate outcomes, and the development of new and compelling therapeutic options require the use of valid preclinical models that effectively replicate the characteristics and challenges associated with these injuries in humans. In this study, we established a sheep model for common peroneal nerve injuries that can be applied in preclinical research with the advantages associated with the use of large animal models. The anatomy of the common peroneal nerve and topographically related nerves, the functional consequences of its injury and a neurological examination directed at this nerve have been described. Furthermore, the surgical protocol for accessing the common peroneal nerve, the induction of different types of nerve damage and the application of possible therapeutic options were described. Finally, a preliminary morphological and stereological study was carried out to establish control values for the healthy common peroneal nerves regarding this animal model and to identify preliminary differences between therapeutic methods. This study allowed to define the described lateral incision as the best to access the common peroneal nerve, besides establishing 12 and 24 weeks as the minimum periods to study lesions of axonotmesis and neurotmesis, respectively, in this specie. The post-mortem evaluation of the harvested nerves allowed to register stereological values for healthy common peroneal nerves to be used as controls in future studies, and to establish preliminary values associated with the therapeutic performance of the different applied options, although limited by a small sample size, thus requiring further validation studies. Finally, this study demonstrated that the sheep is a valid model of peripheral nerve injury to be used in pre-clinical and translational works and to evaluate the efficacy and safety of nerve injury therapeutic options before its clinical application in humans and veterinary patients.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Justin C. Burrell ◽  
Kevin D. Browne ◽  
John L. Dutton ◽  
Suradip Das ◽  
Daniel P. Brown ◽  
...  

AbstractApproximately 20 million Americans currently experience residual deficits from traumatic peripheral nerve injury. Despite recent advancements in surgical technique, peripheral nerve repair typically results in poor functional outcomes due to prolonged periods of denervation resulting from long regenerative distances coupled with relatively slow rates of axonal regeneration. Development of novel surgical solutions requires valid preclinical models that adequately replicate the key challenges of clinical peripheral nerve injury. Our team has developed a porcine model using Yucatan minipigs that provides an opportunity to investigate peripheral nerve regeneration using different nerves tailored for a specific mechanism of interest, such as (1) nerve modality: motor, sensory, and mixed-modality; (2) injury length: short versus long gap; and (3) total regenerative distance: proximal versus distal injury. Here, we describe a comprehensive porcine model of two challenging clinically relevant procedures for repair of long segmental lesions (≥ 5 cm) – the deep peroneal nerve repaired using a sural nerve autograft and the common peroneal nerve repaired using a saphenous nerve autograft – each featuring ultra-long total regenerative distances (up to 20 cm and 27 cm, respectively) to reach distal targets. This paper includes a detailed characterization of the relevant anatomy, surgical approach/technique, functional/electrophysiological outcomes, and nerve morphometry for baseline and autograft repaired nerves. These porcine models of major peripheral nerve injury are suitable as preclinical, translatable models for evaluating the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of next-generation artificial nerve grafts prior to clinical deployment.


Neurosurgery ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 87 (4) ◽  
pp. 833-846 ◽  
Author(s):  
Justin C Burrell ◽  
Kevin D Browne ◽  
John L Dutton ◽  
Franco A Laimo ◽  
Suradip Das ◽  
...  

Abstract BACKGROUND Millions of Americans experience residual deficits from traumatic peripheral nerve injury (PNI). Despite advancements in surgical technique, repair typically results in poor functional outcomes due to prolonged periods of denervation resulting from long regenerative distances coupled with slow rates of axonal regeneration. Novel surgical solutions require valid preclinical models that adequately replicate the key challenges of clinical PNI. OBJECTIVE To develop a preclinical model of PNI in swine that addresses 2 challenging, clinically relevant PNI scenarios: long segmental defects (≥5 cm) and ultra-long regenerative distances (20-27 cm). Thus, we aim to demonstrate that a porcine model of major PNI is suitable as a potential framework to evaluate novel regenerative strategies prior to clinical deployment. METHODS A 5-cm-long common peroneal nerve or deep peroneal nerve injury was repaired using a saphenous nerve or sural nerve autograft, respectively. Histological and electrophysiological assessments were performed at 9 to 12 mo post repair to evaluate nerve regeneration and functional recovery. Relevant anatomy, surgical approach, and functional/histological outcomes were characterized for both repair techniques. RESULTS Axons regenerated across the repair zone and were identified in the distal stump. Electrophysiological recordings confirmed these findings and suggested regenerating axons reinnervated target muscles. CONCLUSION The models presented herein provide opportunities to investigate peripheral nerve regeneration using different nerves tailored for specific mechanisms of interest, such as nerve modality (motor, sensory, and mixed fiber composition), injury length (short/long gap), and total regenerative distance (proximal/distal injury).


2015 ◽  
Vol 122 (6) ◽  
pp. 1438-1443 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mika Karasawa ◽  
Kumiko Yokouchi ◽  
Akira Kakegawa ◽  
Kyutaro Kawagishi ◽  
Tetsuji Moriizumi ◽  
...  

OBJECT The purpose of this study was to determine the minimum amount of nerve fibers required to maintain normal motor function after nerve injury in rats. METHODS The authors first confirmed that a common peroneal nerve injury caused more aggravating effects on lower limb motor function than tibial nerve injury, as assessed by the static sciatic index (SSI). Thereafter, rats were subjected to varying degrees of crush injury to the common peroneal nerve. At 48 hours after the injury, motor function was assessed using the SSI and slope-walking ability (with slope angles of 30° and 45°). The tibialis anterior muscle, a main muscle innervated by the common peroneal nerve, was removed. Muscle sections were co-labeled with neuronal class III β-tubulin polyclonal antibody to identify the presence of axons and Alexa Fluor 488-conjugated α-bungarotoxin to identify the presence of motor endplates. RESULTS The evaluation of neuromuscular innervation showed a correlation between SSI scores and ratios of residual axons (rs = 0.68, p < 0.01), and there was a statistically significant difference between slope-walking ability and ratios of residual axons (p < 0.01). Moreover, the ratios of residual axons in the nerve-crushed rats with normal motor function (SSI above −20) ranged from 36.5% to 88.7%, and those ratios in the success group with slope-walking angles of 30° and 45° ranged from 14.7% to 88.7% and from 39.8% to 88.7%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS In this study of rodents, less than half of the motor axons were sufficient to maintain normal motor function of the lower limb.


2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. e240736
Author(s):  
Raf Mens ◽  
Albert van Houten ◽  
Roy Bernardus Gerardus Brokelman ◽  
Roy Hoogeslag

We present a case of iatrogenic injury to the common peroneal nerve (CPN) occurring due to harvesting of a hamstring graft, using a posterior mini-incision technique. A twitch of the foot was noted on retraction of the tendon stripper. After clinically diagnosing a CPN palsy proximal to the knee, the patient was referred to a neurosurgeon within 24 hours. An electromyography (EMG) was not obtained since it cannot accurately differentiate between partial and complete nerve injury in the first week after injury. Because the nerve might have been transacted by the tendon stripper, surgical exploration within 72 hours after injury was indicated. An intraneural haematoma was found and neurolysis was performed to decompress the nerve. Functioning of the anterior cruciate ligament was satisfactory during follow-up. Complete return of motor function of the CPN was observed at 1-year follow-up, with some remaining hypoaesthesia.


2018 ◽  
Vol 03 (01) ◽  
pp. e41-e45
Author(s):  
Haodong Lin ◽  
Desong Chen ◽  
Chunlin Hou

Background In sciatic nerve neuropathies, when direct nerve repair is impossible due to a large gap, nerve grafting can be performed. However, the diameters of traditional autologous nerve grafts are too small to cover the whole cross-sectional area of the sciatic nerve. The aim of this study is to present the outcome of common peroneal nerve grafting to repair the tibial nerve in eight patients with sciatic nerve injuries, showing long defects of more than 10 cm. Methods Between 2007 and 2013, the common peroneal nerve was used as an autograft to repair the tibial nerve in eight patients with complete high sciatic nerve injury with long defects. There were 6 men and 2 women with an average age of 31 years (range: 17–44 years). Muscle strength was evaluated using the British Medical Research Council scale. The Semmes–Weinstein monofilament test was used for sensory evaluation. Results The follow-up time for patients ranged from 36 to 60 months, with an average of 48.75 months. Tibial nerve motor function was “good” or “very good” (M3–M4) in five out of eight patients (55.6%). Plantar flexion was not adequate in the rest of the patients. Sensory recovery was “good” or “very good” (S2–S3) in six patients and “inadequate” (S4) in two patients. Conclusion In cases where there were extensive gaps in the sciatic nerve, using the common peroneal nerve as an autograft to repair the tibial nerve provides an alternative to traditional nerve graft repair.


2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 24-33
Author(s):  
Aleksey Yur’evich Nisht ◽  
Nikolay Fedorovich Fomin ◽  
Artur Ilgizjvich Imelbaev ◽  
Anastasia Arturovna Mikulich

The high probability of permanent loss of professional fitness and a significant risk of disability of the injured as a result of limb injuries with peripheral nerve damage contribute to both the continuous improvement of surgical techniques on the peripheral nerves, and the implementation of experimental and anatomical studies aimed at developing new ways to restore the lost innervation. Various types of peripheral nerve injuries are observed in peace and wartime victims in 2-6% and 9.8% of cases, respectively. The high degree of disability of patients with the consequences of peripheral nerve injuries requires improvement of diagnostic and reconstructive plastic approaches in this category of patients. A promising method of restoration of the distal part of the crossed nerve with extensive defects of the nerve trunk is its connection with the lateral surface of the intact donor nerve by the end-to-side neurorraphia. The lack of unambiguous views on the nature of reinnervation in this case, even in the presence of single publications on the positive outcomes of such interventions allow us to use this method only in the absence of the possibility of using autonerval transplants to replace extensive defects of peripheral nerves. The purpose of the study: in experiments on laboratory animals to determine the features of modeling trauma of nerve trunks in relation to the development of the main stages of recovery of lost innervation by connecting peripheral nerves by the end-to-side neurorraphia and to determine the range of simple and demonstrative methods of clinical and instrumental control of the functional state of the restored peripheral nerves in a long-term experiment on laboratory animals. Methods. A comprehensive experimental surgical and clinical-instrumental study was performed on 61 laboratory animals (Chinchilla rabbits of both sexes, phenotypically healthy individuals). In the experimental operating room under intravenous anesthesia, modeling of peripheral nerve defect was performed by resection of the total peroneal nerve with a length of 1 cm at the level of the middle third of the thigh. In animals of the studied group (n=39) to restore innervation, the "end-to-side" neurorraphia of the distal portion of the crossed common peroneal nerve with a specially formed defect of the perineural membrane on the lateral surface of the tibial nerve was performed. In the comparison group (n=22) no replacement of the defect of the common peroneal nerve was performed. The follow-up period after experimental interventions ranged from 1 to 290 days. Morphofunctional state of restored nerve trunks was determined by clinical, radiological and electrophysiological methods. Research results. Performing unilateral resections of the common peroneal nerve in laboratory animals (rabbits) with subsequent restoration of the distal portion of the crossed nerve by connecting it by the end-to-side neurorraphia with a nearby intact donor nerve allows to obtain reproducible in the experiment positive results of tissue reinnervation. Indirect assessment of the functional state of the restored nerves is possible using simple and accessible clinical tests, for example, the amplitude of the abduction of the toes of experimental animals in the study of the unconditional reflex of preparation for landing characterizes the conductivity of the common peroneal nerve. When performing experimental studies with multi-stage reconstructive plastic interventions on the peripheral nerves of laboratory animals, the inclusion of radiological methods in the complex of diagnostic measures allows performing in vivo visualization of the surgical intervention area, the restored nerve trunk, as well as the tissues innervated by its branches, which makes it possible to adjust the plan of subsequent morphological studies. Conclusions Performing resection of the common peroneal nerve of laboratory animals (rabbits) at the level of the middle third of the femur as a model of peripheral nerve injury allows to practice the technique of restoration of the distal section of the crossed nerve by connecting it with the adjacent intact donor nerve of the end-to-side neurorraphia. Performing a simple test with the initiation of an unconditional reflex of preparation for landing allows us to qualitatively assess the functional state of the common peroneal nerve in experimental animals. 3. The inclusion of radiological research methods in the program of comprehensive assessment of the peripheral nerves allows to perform their visualization in vivo with the definition of the main morphological characteristics of the restored in experimental reconstructive plastic interventions of nerve trunks.


PEDIATRICS ◽  
1957 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 261-265
Author(s):  
Labe Scheinberg ◽  
Mollie Allensworth

Two cases of sciatic nerve injury in the newborn related to antibiotic injections are reported. One patient recovered after 1 year with conservative therapy; the other expired before an adequate period of observation had elapsed. The common factor in the instances of peripheral nerve injury which follow therapeutic injections in infants and children seems to be direct nerve injury by the needle itself or by the material introduced. Diagnosis is often difficult in infants. Conservative management for at least 1 year is advisable before resorting to surgical neurolysis. It is important to call attention to the fact that the increasing vogue for repeated intramuscular injections is accompanied by a definite risk of damage to nerves, and that the risk is especially great in young and malnourished infants. The paucity of gluteal musculature and frequency of struggling during the procedure increase the likelihood of nerve injury.


2007 ◽  
Vol 22 (6) ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert J. Spinner ◽  
Nicholas M. Desy ◽  
Michael G. Rock ◽  
Kimberly K. Amrami

✓The common peroneal nerve is the peripheral nerve most often affected by intraneural ganglion cysts. Although the pathogenesis of these cysts has been the subject of controversy in the literature, it is becoming increasingly evident that they are of articular origin. Recent recognition of this fact has proven to be significant in reducing recurrences and improving treatment outcomes for patients. The authors present a stepwise method of assessing and treating peroneal intraneural ganglion cysts.


1993 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 165-170 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. E. J. HEMS ◽  
M. A. GLASBY

In order to investigate whether there is any length limit for the success of freeze-thawed muscle grafts when used for peripheral nerve repair, an experimental study was undertaken in the rabbit. Previous work has shown 4 cm muscle grafts in the rabbit sciatic nerve to be successful. On this basis 5 cm and 10 cm muscle grafts were inserted into the common peroneal nerve and compared with 5 cm and 10 cm free nerve grafts. Recovery was assessed after 250 days using whole nerve physiology, weights of innervated muscles, and histological examination of the nerve. At both 5 cm and 10 cm the nerve grafts performed significantly better than the muscle grafts, the 10 cm muscle grafts being totally ineffective. The implications of these results for the application of freeze-thawed muscle grafting in peripheral nerve surgery and the possible factors limiting length of grafting are discussed.


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