An experimental model to study axonal regeneration of the rat spinal cord*

An experimental model for study rat spinal cord regeneration is presented in this paper. Central axons regeneration has been shown after autologous peripheral nerve transplantation between two stumps of the transected spinal cord if cavitation and glial-connective scarring is reduced by microneurosurgical techniques. To this purpose, segments of nerve sciatic fascicles were inserted in a gap space of previously subpially complete or incomplete transected spinal cord and favourable oriented to both spinal cord stumps by biologic sealant. The technical details regarding spinal cord transection, nerve transplantation and spinal cord-nerve end-to-end anastomosis are described. Subpial nerve fascicles graft in previously subpial incomplete transected rat spinal cord allows to connect in suitable way white and gray matter of spinal cord stumps according to one's well established experimental plane and decreases postoperative mortality and the rat assessment during the stage of spinal shock, simultaneously allowing an easier and larger use of this experimental model.