Laser-activated solid protein bands for peripheral nerve repair: An in vivo study

Background and Objective Severed tibial nerves in rats were repaired using a novel technique, utilizing a semiconductor diode‐laser‐activated protein solder applied longitudinally across the join. Welding was produced by selective laser denaturation of solid solder bands containing the dye indocyani...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Lasers in surgery and medicine 1997, Vol.21 (2), p.134-141
Main Authors: Lauto, Antonio, Trickett, Rodney, Malik, Richard, Dawes, Judith M., Owen, Earl R.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Action Potentials
Animals
Biological and medical sciences
Coloring Agents
Cranial nerves. Peripheral nerves. Autonomic nervous system
Indocyanine Green
indocyanine green dye
Laser Therapy
laser-activated protein solder
Lasers
Male
Medical sciences
Muscle, Skeletal - innervation
Muscle, Skeletal - physiology
Nerve Regeneration
nerve repair
Neurosurgery
Rats
Rats, Wistar
Serum Albumin, Bovine - administration & dosage
Surgery (general aspects). Transplantations, organ and tissue grafts. Graft diseases
Sutures
Tensile Strength
Tibial Nerve - pathology
Tibial Nerve - surgery
tissue welding
Tropical medicine
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Summary:Background and Objective Severed tibial nerves in rats were repaired using a novel technique, utilizing a semiconductor diode‐laser‐activated protein solder applied longitudinally across the join. Welding was produced by selective laser denaturation of solid solder bands containing the dye indocyanine green. Study Design/Materials and Methods An in vivo study, using 48 adult male Wistar rats, compared conventional microsuture‐repaired tibial nerves with laser solder‐repaired nerves. Nerve repairs were characterised immediately after surgery and after 3 months. Results Successful regeneration with average compound muscle action potentials of 2.5 ± 0.5 mV and 2.7 ± 0.3 mV (mean and standard deviation) was demonstrated for the laser‐soldered nerves and the sutured nerves, respectively. Histopathology confirmed comparable regeneration of axons in laser‐ and suture‐operated nerves. Conclusion The laser‐based nerve repair technique was easier and faster than microsuture repair, minimising manipulation damage to the nerve. Lasers Surg. Med. 21:134–141, 1997. © 1997 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
ISSN:0196-8092
1096-9101
DOI:10.1002/(SICI)1096-9101(1997)21:2<134::AID-LSM4>3.0.CO;2-R