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Comparison of the effects of different electrocautery applications to peripheral nerves: an experimental study

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Abstract

Background

This study was designed to investigate the effects of bipolar and mononopolar electrocauterization on peripheral nerve tissue. The comparison on the deleterious effects of the different cautery modalities and the importance of probe tip placement are evaluated using electrophysiological, electron microscopic and biochemical assessment parameters.

Methods

Ninety-eight male Wistar albino rats, each weighing 250–275 g, were randomly divided into 14 groups. Each group consisted of seven animals. Monopolar and bipolar electrocautery were performed at 15 watts. The application was performed either directly on the nerve or 1 mm lateral to the longitudinal axis of the nerve for ‘near the nerve groups’, respectively.

Results

The electrophysiological findings showed that the mean amplitudes were at the lowest value in the first day for all the groups. At the end of the 3rd week, we recognised that the electrophysiological recovery continued. Electron microscopic evaluation showed myelin disruption in all groups. Myelin disruption of healthy neurons was at the highest level in the 1st day of application in accordance with the electrophysiological findings. Biochemical evaluation revealed statistical significance between the control and the two of the ‘near the nerve groups’ (GIII and GV) for NO (nitrite and nitrate) serum level.

Conclusion

The data of the present study might suggest that electrocautery, independent of the type and form of application, may result in significant damage in histological and electrophysological basis. Although the relative proportions cannot be ascertained, the time course of recovery suggests that both axon and myelin damage have occurred. The probable electrocautery damage may be of substantial importance for the situation that the nerves are displaced by tumor masses or atypical neural traces.

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Acknowledgements

The authors want to thank to Associate Professor Arzu Kanik from the Biostatistics Department for her guidance in the statistical analysis of our experimental study.

Conflict of interest

None.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurosurgery, Faculty of Medicine, Mersin University, İhsaniye mah. 4935 sok No:3, 33079, Mersin, Turkey

    Ahmet Dagtekin, Aslihan Koseoglu, Emel Avci & Celal Bagdatoglu

  2. Department of Biophysics, Faculty of Medicine, Mersin University, Mersin, Turkey

    Ulku Comelekoglu & Selma Korkutan

  3. Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Mersin University, Mersin, Turkey

    Ozlen Bagdatoglu

  4. Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Mersin University, Faculty of Medicine, Mersin, Turkey

    Necat Yilmaz & Oykut Dagtekin

  5. Department of Otorhinolarygology, Faculty of Medicine, Mersin University, Mersin, Turkey

    Yusuf Vayisoglu & Derya Talas

  6. Faculty of Medicine, Mersin University, Mersin, Turkey

    Derya Karatas

Authors
  1. Ahmet Dagtekin
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  2. Ulku Comelekoglu
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  3. Ozlen Bagdatoglu
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  4. Necat Yilmaz
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  5. Oykut Dagtekin
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  6. Aslihan Koseoglu
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  7. Yusuf Vayisoglu
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  8. Derya Karatas
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  9. Selma Korkutan
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  10. Emel Avci
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  11. Celal Bagdatoglu
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  12. Derya Talas
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ahmet Dagtekin.

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Dagtekin, A., Comelekoglu, U., Bagdatoglu, O. et al. Comparison of the effects of different electrocautery applications to peripheral nerves: an experimental study. Acta Neurochir 153, 2031–2039 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00701-011-1060-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00701-011-1060-z

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