Comparison of a new single-donor human fibrin adhesive with suture for posterior tibial nerve repair in rat: biomechanical resistance and functional analysis

ObjectiveThe use of fibrin adhesives has a broad background in nerve repair. Currently the suboptimal physical properties of single-donor fibrin adhesives have restricted their usage. The present experiment studies the performance and physical characteristics of a modified fibrin glue prepared from single-donor human plasma in the repair of posterior tibial nerve of rat.MethodsForty Wistar rats were divided into 5 groups; in the control group, tibial nerve was completely transected and no treatment was done, while in the four experimental groups the nerve stumps were reconnected by one suture, three sutures, one suture with fibrin glue and fibrin glue alone respectively. During 8 weeks of follow-up, Tibial Function Index was measured weekly and adhesive strength, inflammation and scar formation were assessed at the end of the study.ResultsNerve stumps dehiscence rate and adhesive strength were similar in all experimental groups and significantly differed from control group (P < 0.05). By the end of the eighth follow-up week, functional recovery of one and three sutures groups were significantly higher than groups in which fibrin glue was used for repair (P < 0.05). The amount of inflammation and scar tissue formation was similar among all groups.ConclusionThe study results show that the prepared single-donor fibrin adhesive has acceptable mechanical properties which could provide required adhesiveness and hold nerve stumps in the long term; yet, we acknowledge that more studies are needed to improve functional outcome of single donor fibrin adhesive repair.