Comparison of results obtained with standard and inside out vein graft techniques and their implication on neurotrophin expression in repair of nerve defect: An experimental study

Abstract

Standard vein graft (SVG) and inside out vein graft (IOVG) techniques to promote peripheral nerve regeneration have been widely studied since last two decades. In this experimental study, we attempted to compare these two techniques and analyze the differences in the expression of the neurotrophins during peripheral nerve regeneration. Thirty-six male Wistar rats were used in this sciatic nerve transection model and were divided into two experimental groups (SVG and IOVG) and one sham operated control group. An overall defect of 10 mm was made in the sciatic nerve of the animals in the experimental groups. Each group consisted of two time intervals of 6 and 12 weeks (n = 6). After each experimental interval, sciatic functional index (SFI) along with area and diameter of the axons and fibers of each group were calculated. Muscle mass measurements were also evaluated to see any functional recovery in the groups. Expression of neurotrophins in the graft and distal stump were analyzed with the help of RT-PCR. SFI obtained from walking track analysis showed poor motor recovery in the experimental groups during both time intervals. No significant differences in the histological, morphometric (P > 0.05), and muscle mass measurements (P > 0.05) between the two experimental groups were observed. Analysis of RT-PCR data exhibited an increase in the expression of NT-3 with time in both the grafts (6 weeks 0.428 ± 0.392, 12 weeks 1.089 ± 0.455, P < 0.05) and distal stump (6 weeks 0.411 ± 0.306, 12 weeks 0.807 ± 0.303, P < 0.05) of the SVG group. The study concludes that there is no substantial difference in the nerve regeneration ability between both the techniques. Also, the difference in the level of NT-3 between SVG and IOVG suggests a distinct regulation of NT-3 in peripheral nerve regeneration.

Peripheral Nerve Defects: Repair Using Autogenous Vein Grafts Filled with PRP and Active Nerve Microtissues and Evaluation by Novel Multimodal Ultrasound Techniques

“…Ahmed [23] et al compared standard vein grafts with inverted vein grafts for nerve repair, and there was no signi cant difference elicited in the histological, morphometric or muscle mass measurements between groups. Our study also showed that the valves did not induce lumen obstruction in the reversed vein, and regenerating axons could grow from the proximal to the distal end of the vein lumen based on NF200 staining.…”

Sutureless approach with vein grafts and mesenchymal stem cells in primary nerve repair: Functional and immunohistological results

“…Vein grafts have also been wrapped over epineural repair. There are a few studies informing the superiority of inside‐out vein sleeve technique, however, there are more recent studies informing no difference between the standard and inside‐out vein grafting technique (Ahmed et al, ; Bueno et al, ). It has been reported that vein grafts have neuroregenerative feature.…”

Avaliação da utilização do aloenxerto acelular na regeneração nervosa: estudo experimental em ratos

“…O tempo de 14 semanas de observação pós-operatória para avaliação histológica do fragmento distal de nervo ciático também se mostra mais adequado. Ahmed et al 98 (2015) relatam que, após 6 semanas, havia poucas fibras nervosas regeneradas no coto distal do nervo ciático em ratos em modelo de 10 mm de lesão e que, após 12 semanas, sua presença era facilmente verificada. Nesse estudo, Ahmed et al 98 usaram uma veia como conduto.…”