Morphometeric Study of Primary Sensory Neurons following Surgical Repair of Sciatic Nerve

Objective: Peripheral nerve transection causes neuonal cell death. Effects of surgical nerve repair on survival of primary sensory neurons was to be studied. Methodology: This is a morphometeric study of dorsal root ganglion neurons of adult rats by Hoechst staining conducted at Neuroscience laboratory and Cellular and Molecular Center, Medical faculty, Iran University of Medical Sciences. Models of direct epineurial suture and using of nerve guidance channel of polyvinilydin flourid (PVDF) were used and neuronal number and volume of dorsal root ganglion of L5 were evaluated by morphometeric method. Results: Direct epineurial suture technique decreased sensory neuronal loss and both direct epineurial suture & using of nerve guidance channel decreased reduction of the ganglion volume. Conclusion: Present study showed distal segment of peripheral nerve is essential for neuronal survival, but surgical nerve repair could not completely prevent from neuronal cell death.