Superior nerve anastomosis using a low-output CO2 laser on fibrin membrane.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

To date, no procedure of laser-aided nerve anastomosis has yet proved to be consistently superior to suture nerve repair. This study examines a new method for nerve repair using a low output CO2 laser and fibrin membrane to ascertain the efficacy of this method for nerve regeneration in comparison with the suture method.

STUDY DESIGN/MATERIALS AND METHODS: Both sciatic nerves of 42 Wister rats were used. The left sciatic nerves were cut and reconnected using 70 mW of irradiation on fibrin membrane bridging the nerve stumps, whereas the right sciatic nerves were repaired with two stitches of epineuro-fascicular sutures.

RESULTS

No deleterious effect of the irradiation on nerve regeneration was demonstrated at any time after surgery. The number of myelinated axons larger than 5 microns in diameter and the mean diameter of mylinated axons 8 weeks after surgery were significantly larger in the laser group than those in the suture group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The results suggest this new method may be useful and effective for clinical nerve repair.