THE EFFECTS OF DELAYED NERVE REPAIR ON NERVE REGENERATION IN A SILICONE CHAMBER MODEL

The silicone chamber model for nerve regeneration is suitable to test the effects of exogenous agents or surgical manipulations on nerve reg eneration. The total 16-day regeneration period used in this model mak es it possible to analyze the effects of certain manipulations on the sequential advancement of the individual cellular components (circumfe rential perineurial-like cells, vessels, Schwann cells, axons, and mye lin) into the chamber fibrin matrix. In the present study we compared the effects on cellular migration of a 7 day delayed chamber repair vs . chamber repair immediately after transection (control chambers) of t he rat sciatic nerve. Regeneration was evaluated with light and electr on microscopic techniques. Chambers implanted after a delay of 7 days had a statistically significant more advanced migration of vessels, Sc hwann cells, and axons from the proximal nerve stump and also a signif icantly increased vascular density as compared to control chambers. We conclude that a 7 day delayed nerve repair stimulates nerve regenerat ion in this specific silicone chamber model.