Laser-activated adhesive films for sutureless median nerve anastomosis.

A novel chitosan adhesive film that incorporates the dye 'Rose Bengal' (RB) was used in conjunction with a green laser to repair transected rat median nerves in vivo. Histology and electrophysiological recording assessed the impact of the laser-adhesive technique on nerves. One week post-operatively, the sham-control group (laser-adhesive technique applied on un-transected nerves) conserved the average number and size of myelinated fibres in comparison to its contralateral side and electrophysiological recordings demonstrated no significant difference with un-operated nerves. Twelve weeks after the laser-adhesive anastomoses, nerves were in continuity with regenerated axons that crossed the anastomotic site. (© 2013 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]