ADCON-T/N reduces in vivo perineural adhesions in a rat sciatic nerve reoperation model

Excessive perineural scarring may affect the result of peripheral nerve surgery. The ability of a novel implant material (ADCON-T/N) to prevent this complication was tested in 38 rats. Four weeks after a bilateral sciatic nerve external neurolysis, a secondary bilateral lysis of the adhesions was performed; ADCON-T/N was locally implanted at one side, while the contralateral side was left untreated. Four or 8 weeks later, perineural adhesions were dissected in 24 animals and graded blindly. Significantly fewer perineural adhesions were found in ADCON-T/N treated nerves compared with controls at both 4 and 8 weeks. Residual implant material or adverse effects were not observed at either time. Histological examination of the neurolysis sites in another 14 animals confirmed these findings at both time intervals. This study shows that ADCON-T/N is effective in inhibiting perineural adhesions, is resorbed within 4 weeks and is well tolerated.