Sciatic Nerve Section

Available in: Rats and Mice Anesthetics Analgesic
Pre-Operative Procedures Intra-Operative Care Post-Operative Care

Surgical Preparation

The animal is anesthetized and clipped over the right (or left) anterolateral thigh. Sterile eye lubricant is placed in both eyes, and the clipped skin area over the femoral vein is surgically prepared. The animal is placed on a surgery board fitted with a sterile board drape. Analgesic is administered.

Surgical Description

The surgical site is draped with a sterile drape. To expose the sciatic nerve, an incision is made to the anterolateral thigh. Blunt dissection is used to separate the fibers of the bicep femoris and padded retractors are used to increase surgical visibility. A small section (1-3mm) of the muscular branches of the sciatic nerve is excised.

Surgical Closing

The anterolateral thigh incision is closed with approved closing materials (suture or stainless steel clips), and the surgery sites are treated with an approved disinfectant followed by an alcohol swabbing.

Sham

A standard sham sciatic nerve section model is prepared as described above with regards to surgical site preparation, dissection of the bicep femoris, wound closing, and surgical site disinfection; however, no nerve resection occurs.