The experimental study of bridging of peripheral nerve defects by chitosan nerve guide

Objective To observe the nerve regeneration by using chitosan nerve guide as tubing chambers to bridge the sciatic nerve defects of rats. Methods Thirty Wistar rats weighted 200±20g were chosen randomly. A 12mm defect was produced in the right sciatic nerve of each rat. Chitosam nerve guides were used to bridge the nerve defects. The left side sciatic nerves were set up as the control group. Gross observation, microanatomical observation, light microscopic and electro microscopic histological examination, immunohistochemical examination and nerve eletrophysiological examination were carried out at the end of 4th, 12th, 24th weeks postoperatively. Results The sensation and motion function of right posterior limbs of rats were recovered at different levels after operations. Most of the regenerated axons grew through the defects at the end of 12th weeks after operations. At the end of 24th weeks the nerve regeneration were perfect, with good myelination and compound action pulses, confirmed by histological and electrophysical examinations respectively. Most of the chitosan nerve guides were degenerated and absorbed completely at the end of 24th week.Conclusions The regenerated sciatic nerves of rats were provided with good regeneration microcircumstance by chitosan nerve guides.