This is the Scientific Surgery Archive, which contains all randomized clinical trials in surgery that have been identified by searching the top 50 English language medical journal issues since January 1998. Compiled by Jonothan J. Earnshaw, former Editor-in-Chief, BJS
Effect of injury on S1 dorsal root ganglia in an experimental model of neuropathic faecal incontinence. BJS 2011; 98: 1155-1159.
Published: 29th March 2011
Authors: C. Peirce, C. O'Herlihy, P. R. O'Connell, J. F. X. Jones
Background
An experimental model of neuropathic faecal incontinence has recently been established. This study aimed to quantify and compare the effect of crush and compression injury on first‐order sensory neurones of the inferior rectal nerve (IRN) using a nuclear marker of axonal injury, activating transcription factor (ATF) 3.
Method
Eighteen Wistar rats were allocated to three groups: an unoperated control group, an IRN crush group (positive control) and a retrouterine balloon compression group. Five days after surgery, all animals were anaesthetized and perfused with fixative, and S1 dorsal root ganglia (DRG) were harvested. The tissue was sampled and neuronal nuclear ATF‐3 expression calculated.
Results
Estimated total S1 DRG ATF‐3 nuclear labelling was higher in the nerve crush (median (interquartile range) 171 (60–824) cells) and balloon compression (59 (20–274) cells) groups, compared with that in the unoperated control group (9 (3–24) cells) (P = 0·001 and P = 0·008 respectively). In all groups, most neurones displaying the marker of injury were of the C‐fibre class.
Conclusion
This study confirmed the presence of axonal injury in a pelvic compression model of obstetric injury. C‐fibre afferent pathways appeared to be most vulnerable. Neuromodulation may function through augmentation of residual C‐fibre pathways. Copyright © 2011 British Journal of Surgery Society Ltd. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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