The histological analysis of biological conduit sleeve bridging rhesus monkey median nerve injury with small gap.

Based on the research on small gap bridging peripheral nerve injury in SD rats, we decided to investigate the histological analysis possibility of bridging peripheral nerve injury with small gap using a de-acetyl chitin conduit in primate. Median nerves of 8 rhesus monkeys were cut at 2 cm above the elbow, and the right sides were subjected to small gap (2 mm) bridging to repair the nerve with chitin conduit (conduit inner diameter 4 mm; length 10 mm); the left sides were subjected to traditionary epineurium suture. Histology detections were conducted after 6th month. The conduit was almost absorbed and the conduit cast contour disappeared after 6 months. The histological analysis displayed that the regenerated nerve fibers in conduit grew forward in fasciculation. The re-myelinated nerve axons number per unit area in the conduit group distal segment was higher than that of traditionary epineurium suture group. The biocompatibility of biological chitin conduit in primate rhesus monkeys was quite good. The regenerated nerve fibers in conduit grew forward in fasciculation. The histological analysis results of biological conduit in primate rhesus monkeys were better than the traditionary epineurium suture. The biological conduit can be used in primate rhesus monkeys to substitute the traditionary epineurium suture methods.