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J Reconstr Microsurg 2025; 41(05): 383-389
DOI: 10.1055/a-2387-3282
Original Article

Tensile Strength of Nerve Bridging Models Using Collagen Nerve Conduits

Yusuke Hattori‡   †
1   Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Science, Nagoya, Japan
2   Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Nagoya City University East Medical Center, Nagoya, Japan
,
Shinsuke Takeda‡   †
1   Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Science, Nagoya, Japan
,
Takuya Usami 
1   Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Science, Nagoya, Japan
,
Ryutaro Shibata
1   Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Science, Nagoya, Japan
,
Hiroshi Takahashi
1   Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Science, Nagoya, Japan
,
Yuji Joyo
2   Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Nagoya City University East Medical Center, Nagoya, Japan
,
Yohei Kawaguchi
1   Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Science, Nagoya, Japan
,
Hideki Okamoto
1   Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Science, Nagoya, Japan
,
Hideki Murakami
1   Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Science, Nagoya, Japan
,
Permsak Paholpak
3   Department of Orthopedics, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
,
Hideyuki Ota
4   Department of Orthopedic Surgery and Hand Surgery, Nagoya Ekisaikai Hospital, Nagoya, Japan
› Author Affiliations Funding This work was supported by Grant-in-Aid for Research in Nagoya City University Grant Number 23430004.
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Abstract

Background In the treatment of peripheral nerve injuries with nerve defects, second-generation collagen-based conduits, such as Renerve® (Nipro, Osaka, Japan), have shown the potential for promoting nerve regeneration. However, there is concern related to the weak material properties. No previous studies have addressed the strength of the bridging model using collagen conduits. This study aimed to investigate the tensile strength and failure patterns in nerve defect models bridged with Renerve® conduits through biomechanical research.

Methods Using fresh chicken sciatic nerves, we examined the maximum failure load of four groups: bridging models using Renerve® with one suture (group A), with two sutures (group B), with three sutures (group C), and end-to-end neurorrhaphy models with two sutures (group N). Each group had eight specimens. We also evaluated failure patterns of the specimens.

Results Group N showed a significantly higher maximum failure load (0.96 ± 0.13 N) compared to groups A (0.23 ± 0.06 N, p < 0.0001), B (0.29 ± 0.05 N, p < 0.0001), and C (0.40 ± 0.10 N, p < 0.0001). Regarding failure patterns, all specimens in group A showed nerve-end dislocation from the conduit. Two specimens in group B and three specimens in group C failed due to circumferential cracks in the conduit. Six specimens in group B and five specimens in group C exhibited cutting out of sutures from the conduit.

Conclusion This study suggests that the number of sutures in synthetic collagen nerve conduits has little effect on the maximum failure load. To take advantage of its biomaterial benefits, a period of postoperative range of motion restriction may be required.

Keywords

synthetic nerve conduits - tensile strength - collagen conduit - postoperative ROM restriction

† These two authors contributed equally to this work.




Publication History

Received: 31 March 2024

Accepted: 26 July 2024

Accepted Manuscript online:
14 August 2024

Article published online:
12 September 2024

© 2024. Thieme. All rights reserved.

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