Abstract
Background Function of the thoracic sympathetic chain (TSC) reportedly recovers after surgical
clips are removed. Hence, this study was designed to study nerve regeneration after
unclipping the TSC.
Methods The bilateral TSCs of six goats were studied; the goats were separated into three
groups (groups I, II, and III) during excision, clipping, and unclipping. During surgery,
the TSCs were excised with a scalpel in group I and clipped in groups II and III.
In group III, the clips were removed 1 month postoperatively and observed for possible
nerve healing for 1 month. All TSCs were examined histologically following en block
resection at 1 month postoperatively in groups I and II and at 2 months postoperatively
in group III.
Results Inflammation in nerve sections was noted following clip removal. Furthermore, there
was significant degeneration and cell infiltration in the nerve fibers of the clipped
regions. The Schwann cells around the peripheral nerve endings in the unclipped regions
facilitated nerve transmission by reconstitution of myelin.
Conclusion Clipping the TSC can cause histologic degeneration; however, histologic nerve regeneration
occurs after unclipping.
Keywords
experimental - surgery/incisions - histology
