Reza Shahryar Kamrani, MD; Ahmad Mohebbi Ashtiani, MD; Shayan Abdollah Zadegan, MD; Mohammad Hossein Nabian, MD; Masoumeh Firouzi, PhD
Abstract
Background: Electroporation of cells for cancer ablation has gained popularity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of electroporation in nerve injury and neuroma formation.Methods: In an experimental study, the sciatic nerves cut in 38 rats and the repair was studied by dividing them in ...
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Background: Electroporation of cells for cancer ablation has gained popularity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of electroporation in nerve injury and neuroma formation.Methods: In an experimental study, the sciatic nerves cut in 38 rats and the repair was studied by dividing them in 3 groups each group receiving a different treatment. Sixteen rats received electroporation, 16 received end-to-end repair, and 6 “control” rats received no electroporation. The repair and possible formation of neuroma was evaluated by light-microscopy and the function of the nerve was assessed with sciatic functional index (SFI).Results: Complete nerve injury was demonstrated by SFI in the 3 groups, in the first-week evaluation. After 2 weeks, significant recovery of function was seen in the electroporation group and in 4 weeks it was similar to control group. This group reached normal SFI in 5 weeks. The cut and repaired group never reached a normal SFI.Conclusions: The electroporation in the sciatic nerve of rat produces complete functional improvement after nerve injury and possibly could be useful for treating symptomatic neuromas.
