Clinical and Anatomical Changes induced by Sciatic Nerve Section of Weaning Age Rabbits

Abstract

The aim of the study was to explore the clinical and anatomicalchanges occured after Sciatic nerve section in the weaning age in rabbits.Twenty-five rabbits were used in this study ranging from 1-2.5 months.Divided into five subgroups according to the number of survival days(W7) (W14) (W30) (W60) (W90). Surgery was performed under generalanesthesia. The nerve was sectioned using a small surgical scissor.Clinicalay few days later, the sign of right hind paws paralysis wasobserved clearly. The results revealed of a gap formation between thetwo nerve stumps [proximal and distal], and the gap increases on the dayfourteenth.During the following two weeks, ulcers began to appear in the skin at thedorsal side of the ankle joint, and there was also an enlarged popliteallymph node. Within 30-60 days another area was invaded by ulcer withor without bone exposure, the anterior part of the posterior side of thehind limb. After 90 days, there was severe ulceration and bone exposurewith enlarged lymph nodes and the ulceration extended to the ventralside of the hindlimb. Results showed a gradual worsening of thecondition and without improvement in peripheral nerves.