Effect of Alaska pollock-gelatin sealant sheet on bonding strength and regeneration of the nerve in cadaveric and rat models

Abstract

A novel sheet-type sealant composed of Alaska pollock-derived gelatin (ApGltn) was introduced. This study aimed to investigate the bonding strength and the biocompatibility of ApGltn sheet. Human digital nerves from fresh cadavers were repaired using six surgical interventions (20 nerves per group): (a) double suture, (b) single suture + ApGltn sheet, (c) single suture + fibrin sealant, (d) single suture, (e) ApGltn sheet, and (f) fibrin sealant, and maximum failure loads were measured. For functional evaluations, the rat sciatic nerves were exposed to six surgical interventions: (a) double suture, (b) single suture + ApGltn sheet, (c) single suture, (d) ApGltn sheet, (e) fibrin sealant, and (f) resection (10 rats per group). Macroscopic confirmation, muscle weight measurement, and histopathological findings were examined 8 weeks postoperatively. The maximum failure load of ApGltn sheet was significantly higher than that of a fibrin sealant (0.39 N vs. 0.05 N). The maximum failure load of single suture + ApGltn sheet was significantly higher than that of a single suture (1.32 N vs. 0.97 N). Functional and histological examinations showed similar recovery between ApGltn sheet-repaired sciatic nerves and those repaired with sutures or fibrin. ApGltn sheet addition to a single suture reinforces the nerve bonding strength.