Implantation of multiple intercostal nerve neuromas in lesioned spinal cord-repair, regeneration and rehabilitation strategies.

Multiple intercostals nerve neuromas are surgically implanted in the lesioned spinal cord by bridging transaction lesions at T6 or T8 by removing one centimeter of spinal cord. In these experiments one to four intercostals nerves with origin proximal to the transection and the distal stumps, the neuroma was implanted distal to the transection. These procedures plus rehabilitation resulted in enhancing of regeneration of axons in the spinal cord lesion and dogs developed standing, stepping and reflex walking locomotion. Surgical resection of the implanted nerve resulted in paraplegia. Multiple nerve implants bridging the transaction of 34 mature female dogs. A pattern of neurological deficits developed when a sequence of resection of the implanted nerves were performed. If four nerves were implanted and one nerve resected usually no deficits were observed. When the second nerve was resected certain deficits were observed. When three nerves were resected some dogs became paraplegic, and some dogs showed increased sign of paraplegia but were not completely paralyzed and showed hind limb movements but no weight bearing. When four nerves were resected full paraplegia was observed.