Abstract
Background Targeted muscle reinnervation (TMR) is a novel approach to postamputation neuroma
pain; however, this has not been explicitly studied. The purpose of this study was
to develop a TMR model in hind limb amputated rats.
Methods Ten hind limbs from 5 Sprague Dawley cadaver rats were used. Sciatic nerve, main
branches of the sciatic nerve (common peroneal, tibial, sural), motor branches from
the sciatic nerve to the biceps femoris and cauda femoris, gluteal nerve and its motor
branches to the semimembranosus, and biceps femoris and femoral nerve were dissected
to look for consistent nerve anatomy that can be used for TMR in the rat hind limb
amputation model. Transfemoral amputation was performed and two types of coaptations
were made: common peroneal nerve to motor branch to biceps femoris and tibial nerve
to motor branch to semimembranosus.
Results The total surgical time for the dissection, amputation, and coaptation of nerves
was ∼90 minutes. A total of 100 nerves were dissected in 10 rat hind limbs. Anatomical
dissections were straightforward to perform. Anatomy of the dissected nerves was consistent.
Hind limb amputations were performed without damaging the target muscles and nerves.
Nerve lengths were sufficient for coaptation without any tension.
Conclusions To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on TMR model in hind limb
amputated rats. This model will allow for mechanical, electromyography (EMG), and
histological analysis for future assessment of neuroma prevention.
Keywords
rat model - targeted muscle reinnervation - neuroma prevention
