Role of human amniotic fluid and different suture technique in nerve regeneration

In this experimental study, we search positive effects of human amniotic fluid (HAF) and anchor suturing, in nerve regeneration.We prepare 4 group of nerve injury model, which contains 15 Spraque Dawley rats bilateral sciatic nerves (30 nerves). We used, epineural suture with 0,3ml SF in group 1, anchor suture with 0,3ml SF in group 2, epineural suture with 0,3ml human amniotic fluid in group 3 and anchor suture with 0,3ml human amniotic fluid in group 4.We wait 8 weeks for nerve regeneration and than all the sciatic nerves are explored. For histological observation, all of the nerves are explored and taken from 1cm distance from repair site, after macroscopic evaluation done.After routine histological procedure, 5?m cross sections are taken, from the repair site and distal of the nerves. Axon counts and mean axon diameters are measured in the light microscope. Also a numerical grading scheme described by Petersen, et al., was used for gross evaluation.Student-t test was used for statistical analysis of histological findings and paired-samples test used for gross evaluation.As a result, group 3 and 4 (human amniotic fluid groups) have better results in gross evaluation of nerve adherence and separability (p=0,001). Axon counts are also better in HAF groups, in repair site and distal segments ( p= 0,007, p=0,034, p= 0,016, p=0,003). In terms of mean axon diameters, HAF groups have better results at repair site (p=0,032, p=0,001). In distal segments, there is no difference between HAF and SF which we use epineural suture (0,070), but HAF is better which we use anchor suture (0,013). The only difference between epineural suture and anchor suture is the mean axon diameter of the repair site which we use SF (p=0,020).