Structural Injury to the Human Sciatic Nerve After Intraneural Needle Insertion

• DOI: 10.1097/aap.0b013e31819a2795
• Publication Date: 2009-05-21T08:51:57Z
• Authors: Xavier Sala-Blanch; Teresa Ribalta; Eva Rivas; Ana Carrera; Albert Gaspa; Miguel A. Reina; Admir Hadzic
• Keywords: Bevel; Epineurial repair; Nerve Injury

<h3>Background:</h3> Recent clinical reports suggest that intraneural needle placement may not always lead to neurologic injury. To explain the absence of complications in these reports, we studied risk and extent nerve injury after intentional needle-nerve a cryopreserved human sciatic nerve. <h3>Methods:</h3> The was dissected from cadaver through partial exposure. Needles were inserted nerve, using blunt-tip (30 degrees beveled) (group A) sharp-tip (15 D) needles. Five insertions made for each type. Subsequently, transverse sections at 10 trajectories processed. Nerve samples stained with hematoxylin-eosin, Masson trichromic, immunohistochemical stains. In section, following variables quantified: total number fascicles vessels immediate vicinity injured vessels. <h3>Results:</h3> A 520 quantified, which 134 contact trajectories. numbers per section 65 ± 8 14 7, respectively. mean 16 5 found trajectory A: 17± 3, group D: 15 6). Of these, 4 (3.2%) 1 vessel damaged D. No fascicular or vascular injuries A. <h3>Conclusions:</h3> Our findings insertion more commonly result interfascicular rather than intrafascicular placement.