ABSTRACT
Contentions still exist as to the most humane method of sacrificing experimental animals. Beyond humaneness, there is also the issue of appropriateness of a method of sacrifice with regards to organ safety. This study compared four common methods of rodent sacrifice used in Nigeria and their effects on the brain. Twenty male Wistar rats weighing 150 to 180g were randomly separated into four groups of five rats each. After a two week period of acclimatization,the animals were sacrificed; Group A by Cervical dislocation (CD) which also served as control, Group B by chloroform inhalation (CI), Group C by diethyl ether inhalation (DEI) and group D by Formalin inhalation (FI). The time taken for the animals to pass out was documented and the brains were harvested. Four of the brains from rats in each group were homogenized in phosphate buffer solution and centrifuged at 10000rpm. The supernatant were used for antioxidant studies. The remaining one brain from each group were fixed in 10% formal saline and after 48 hours, the cerebellum (CB) and hippocampus (Hp) were used for histological studies using the H & E method. Our results show although CD was the quickest, it gave the least quantity of blood. Meanwhile CI was the most humane, gave the most blood and saved time compared to DEI and FI. None of the methods of sacrifice showed adverse effect on the antioxidant parameters of the rats. However, histological studies showed that while CD and CI showed no adverse effects on the hippocampus, only CD was completely safe for the CB. The other methods showed various levels of cell death. It is therefore expedient to consider these factors in making the choice of an appropriate method of sacrifice and to use the most humane and safest method with reference to the organ studied
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: Cervical dislocations with locked facets account for more than 50% of all cervical injuries. Thus, investigating a suitable management of cervical locked facets is important. This study examined factors of close reduction failure in traumatically locked facets of the subaxial cervical spine patients to determine suitable surgical management. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed of the case histories of 28 patients with unilateral/bilateral cervical locked facets from Nov. 2004 to Dec. 2010. Based on MRI evaluation of disc status at the injury level, we found unilateral dislocations in 9 cases, and bilateral dislocations in 19 cases, The patients were investigated for neurologic recovery, closed reduction rate, factors of the close reduction barrier, fusion rate and period, spinal alignment, and complications. RESULTS: The closed reduction failed in 23(82%) patients. Disc herniation was an obstacle to closed reduction (p=0.015) and was more frequent in cases involving a unilateral dislocation (p=0.041). The pedicle or facet fracture was another factor, although some patients showed aggravation of neurologic symptoms, most patients had improved by the last follow up. The kyphotic angle were statistically significant (p=0.043). Sixs patient underwent anterior decompression/fusion, and 15 patients underwent circumferential fusion, and 7 patients underwent posterior fusion. All patients were fused at 3 months after surgery. The complications were 1 case of CSF leakage and 1 case of esphageal fistula, 1 case of infection. CONCLUSION: We recommend closed reduction be performed as soon as possible after injury to maximize the potential for neurological recovery. Patients fot whom closed reduction of the cervical locked facets have a higher incidence of anatomic obstacles to reduction, including facet fractures and disc herniation. Immediate direct open anterior reduction or circumferential fixation/fusion of locked cervical facets is recommended as a treatment of choice for traumatic locked cervical facet patients after closed reduction failure.
Subject(s)
Humans , Joint Dislocations , Fistula , Follow-Up Studies , Incidence , Neurologic Manifestations , Retrospective Studies , SpineABSTRACT
Objective To explore the possibility of anterior open reduction and internal fixation to treat the lower cervical irreducible dislocation. Methods 15 cases of lower cervical irreducible dislocation were treated by the anterior open reduction and internal fixation, 11 cases were male and 4 cases were female, 10 cases were unilateral facet locked and 5 eases were bilateral facet locked which were confirmed by the MRI and CT scan. All the cases were failed to the skull traction before operation and received anterior open reduction and plate fixation, and interver-tebral fusion. All the cases were followed up, the recovery of neurological function and the fusion rate were evaluated. Results 15 cases were completely reduction and none of them got a worse neurological function. Conclusion The treatment effect of anterior open reduction and fixation for the lower cervical irreducible dislocation were good.