Direct Spinal Ventral Root Repair following Avulsion: Effectiveness of a New Heterologous Fibrin Sealant on Motoneuron Survival and Regeneration

Figure 1

Nissl-stained spinal cord transverse sections at lamina IX illustrating the neuroprotective effect of root reimplantation on motoneurons, 4 and 12 weeks following ventral root avulsion and repair. Note the decreased number of motoneurons, ipsilateral to the lesion. Also, observe the improvement of neuronal survival in the reimplanted groups. (a-b, e-f, and i-j) Ipsilateral and contralateral sides, 4 weeks after lesion. (c-d, g-h, and k-l) Ipsilateral and contralateral sides, 12 weeks after lesion. (m) Percentage of neuronal survival 4 and 12 weeks following ventral root avulsion and reimplantation. The reimplanted groups displayed a significantly increased neuronal survival, 4 and 12 weeks after lesion. Scale bar = 50 μm. Mean ± SE. ; .