Comparative study between Fibrin Scaffold and autograft in sciatic nerve repair: a tissue engineering approach

ABSTRACT

Autograft is the golden standard approach to repair the cut peripheral nerve. Howeverdue to limited accessibility to autograft and the high risk of neuroma formation, an alternative repair method is the target of many investigations. The objective of the present study was to investigate the effect of using fibrin scaffold [FS] in repairing cut sciatic nerve in rats. Forty five male Wistar rats weighing 200-250g were randomly divided into three groups, control, autograft [A] and the fibrin scaffold [FS]. The 5mm gap in cut right sciatic nerve was repaired with autograft and FS in A and FS groups. Animals were then assessed by behavioral and EMG tests in one, three and five weeks following the induced injury. Results were then compared in three groups using one way ANOVA. The trends of recovery were similar and comparable in both experimental groups when the data obtained in the first, 3rd and the 5th week were crossed with those gained from control group. The mean functional index of the sciatic nerve was in parallel in both experimental groups throughout the five weeks of follow-up period. The mean motor response delay had a similar trend and was not significantly different in experimental group. So was the amplitude of the mean motor action potential. The data presented are in favor of the notion that the fibrin scaffold could potentially be looked upon as an alteranative approach for autograft transplants in peripheral nerve injury