Affiliations: Departments of Experimental Research and Hand Surgery, Malmö General Hospital, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden | Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Goteborg, Göteborg, Sweden
Note: [] Correspondence: Nils Danielsen, Department of Experimental Research, Malmö General Hospital, S-214 01 Malmö, Sweden. Fax: (46)(40) 33 62 07.
Abstract: The silicone chamber model for nerve regeneration is suitable to test the effects of exogenous agents or surgical manipulations on nerve regeneration. The total 16-day regeneration period used in this model makes it possible to analyze the effects of certain manipulations on the sequential advancement of the individual cellular components (circumferential perineurial-like cells, vessels, Schwann cells, axons, and myelin) into the chamber fibrin matrix. In the present study we compared the effects on cellular migration of a 7 day delayed chamber repair vs. chamber repair immediately after transection (control chambers) of the rat sciatic nerve. Regeneration was evaluated with light and electron microscopic techniques. Chambers implanted after a delay of 7 days had a statistically significant more advanced migration of vessels, Schwann cells, and axons from the proximal nerve stump and also a significantly increased vascular density as compared to control chambers. We conclude that a 7 day delayed nerve repair stimulates nerve regeneration in this specific silicone chamber model.
