Anastomose nervosa término-lateral utilizando cola de fibrina : estudo experimental em ratos

Abstract

Background: The effectiveness of end-to-side nerve repair with fibrin glue persists controversial in medical literature. Few experimental studies are available. The technique is currently being used clinically but the mechanisms behind this technique are essentially unknown. Objective: This study was undertaken to evaluate axonal regeneration after end-to-side nerve repair with fibrin glue in rats. Method: Forty-five Wistar rats were divided into three groups: group A (n=15), were not submitted to surgery (control group); group B (n=15) were submitted to fibular transection without repair; and group C (n=15), were submitted to fibular transection with end-to-side nerve anastomosis with fibrin glue, in the lateral surface of an intact tibial nerve (without epineural window). The three groups were submitted to walking track (30 and 90 days) and posterior morphometrical analysis (90 days) by the axonal number and diameter measurement. Results: The functional tests demonstrated that there was no difference in the walking track during the study in group A (p>0,05). The group B had walking pattern impairment in the two tests (p>0,05). The group C had walking pattern impairment in the first test, with important recovery in the second test (p<0,05). The morphometrical assessment revealed significantly higher number of regenerated mielinates axons in group C, compared to group B (p<0,05). Conclusion: The end-to-side nerve repair with fibrin glue shows axonal recovery, demonstrated through functional and morphometrical ways in rats.