Bozkurt Ahmet, Dunda Sebastian E, Mon O'Dey Dan, Brook Gary A, Suschek Christoph V, Pallua Norbert
Burn Center, University Hospital Aachen, RWTH, Aachen, Germany.
Neurol Res. 2011 Dec;33(10):1010-5. doi: 10.1179/1743132811Y.0000000029.
Here we present the epineurial sheath tube (EST) technique as a modified microsurgical rat sciatic nerve model. The EST technique provides a cavity or pouch consisting of an outer epineurial sleeve that has been freed from nerve fascicles. This cavity may be appropriate to test the effectiveness and biocompatibility of implanted growth factors, cell suspensions (embedded in solutions or gels), or bioartificial nerve guide constructs.
A total number of 10 rats underwent the surgical procedure for the EST technique. Cylinders made of fibrin gel served as implants and place-holders. Three animals were euthanized directly after operation, while the others survived for 6 weeks. After immersion fixation (3·9% glutaraldehyde), both conventional histology [semi-thin sections (1 μm), toluidine blue] and scanning electron microscopy were performed.
Conventional histology and scanning electron microscopy of samples that had been fixed directly after the surgical procedure displayed the integrity of the closed epineurial tube with the fibrin cylinder in its center. Even after 6 weeks, the outer epineurium was not lacerated, the stitches did not loosen, and the lumen did not collapse, but remained open.
The practicability of the EST technique could be verified regarding feasibility, reproducibility, mechanical stability, and openness of the lumen. The EST technique can be adapted to other nerve models (e.g. median or facial nerve). It provides a cavity or pouch, which can be used for different neuroscientific approaches including concepts to improve the therapeutic benefit of autologous nerve grafting or therapies to be used as an alternative to autologous nerve grafting.
在此，我们介绍神经外膜鞘管（EST）技术，这是一种改良的大鼠坐骨神经显微外科模型。EST技术提供了一个由已与神经束分离的外层神经外膜套管组成的腔隙或袋状结构。这个腔隙可能适合测试植入的生长因子、细胞悬液（包埋在溶液或凝胶中）或生物人工神经导向构建体的有效性和生物相容性。
总共10只大鼠接受了EST技术的外科手术。由纤维蛋白凝胶制成的圆柱体用作植入物和占位物。3只动物在手术后直接安乐死，其余动物存活6周。在浸入固定（3.9%戊二醛）后，进行了传统组织学检查[半薄切片（1μm），甲苯胺蓝染色]和扫描电子显微镜检查。
手术过程后立即固定的样本的传统组织学检查和扫描电子显微镜检查显示，封闭的神经外膜管完整，其中心有纤维蛋白圆柱体。即使在6周后，外层神经外膜也没有撕裂，缝线没有松动，管腔没有塌陷，而是保持开放。
EST技术在可行性、可重复性、机械稳定性和管腔开放性方面的实用性得到了验证。EST技术可以适用于其他神经模型（如正中神经或面神经）。它提供了一个腔隙或袋状结构，可用于不同的神经科学研究方法，包括提高自体神经移植治疗效果的概念或用作自体神经移植替代疗法的治疗方法。
