Experimental Rat Peripheral Nerve Models: Surgical Exposures and Applications

A significant knowledge gap persists in understanding the mechanisms driving peripheral nerve regeneration and improving postoperative recovery. Rat models serve as essential tools for investigating peripheral nerve injury or repair due to their affordability, resilience, and functional similarity to humans. This study provides a comprehensive overview of surgical dissection details and the application of rat peripheral nerve models.

Under approval from the Vanderbilt University Medical Center Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee, dissections of upper and lower extremity peripheral nerves were performed in 2 Sprague-Dawley rats. Standardized techniques were documented for median, ulnar, radial, musculocutaneous, intercostal, femoral, obturator, sciatic, tibial, common peroneal, sural, and pudendal nerves.

All peripheral nerves were successfully identified and exposed. Functional correlations and applications were summarized for each model, including regeneration, neuropathic pain, motor recovery, and nerve grafting. The sciatic nerve remains the most established model, while the median and ulnar nerves offer reliable forelimb motor assessments with a lower risk of self-mutilation.

This comprehensive review defines dissection techniques, applications, and comparative advantages of rat peripheral nerve models. These standardized methods aim to guide model selection and strengthen translational research in peripheral nerve regeneration and repair.