Enhancement of rat peripheral nerve regeneration through artery-including silicone tubing

Regeneration of rat sciatic nerve across a 5-mm excised gap was investigated after the proximal and distal stump were inserted into a silicone tubing including a native artery. Usual tubulation (silicone tube only) was used as the control. After 4, 8, and 15 weeks, the extent of nerve regeneration was evaluated electrophysiologically and histologically. The nerve regeneration and intraneural vascular reconstruction that occurred within silicone tubing with an arterial blood supply were more successful than those that occurred in the control. In the 4 weeks following implantation, the enhancement of maturation in the regenerating axons was especially noticeable. The advantages of the present procedure are (i) the provision of continuous guidance for neural outgrowth; (ii) an increased supply of nutrients for regenerating nerve fibers and Schwann cells; (iii) an increased supply of oxygen by arterial highly oxygenated blood; and (iv) the stimulation of an exchange effect within the tube due to the pumping action of artery.