J Reconstr Microsurg 2001; 17(2): 133-138
DOI: 10.1055/s-2001-12702
Copyright © 2001 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc., 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA. Tel.: +1(212) 584-4662

Double-Blind Randomized Study Evaluating Regeneration of the Rat Transected Sciatic Nerve after Suturing and Postoperative Low-Power Laser Treatment

Merav H. Shamir1 , Semion Rochkind2 , Judith Sandbank3 , Malvina Alon4
  • 1Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem
  • 2Department of Neurosurgery, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University
  • 3Department of Rehabilitation, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University
  • 4Department of Pathology, Assaf Harofeh Hospital, Israel
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
31 December 2001 (online)

ABSTRACT

This double-blind randomized study evaluated the therapeutic effect of low-power laser irradiation (LPLI) on peripheral nerve regeneration, after complete transection and direct anastomosis of the rat sciatic nerve. After this procedure, 13 of 24 rats received postoperative LPLI, with a wavelength of 780 nm laser, applied transcutaneously, 30 min daily for 21 consecutive days, to corresponding segments of the spinal cord and to the injured sciatic nerve. Positive somatosensory evoked responses were found in 69.2 percent of the irradiated rats (p = 0.019), compared to 18.2 percent of the non-irradiated rats. Immunohistochemical staining in the laser-treated group showed an increased total number of axons (p = 0.026), and better quality of the regeneration process, due to an increased number of large-diameter axons (p = 0.021), compared to the non-irradiated control group. The study suggests that postoperative LPLI enhances the regenerative processes of peripheral nerves after complete transection and anastomosis.

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