New Insights into Surgical Techniques and Anatomical Landmarks for Tubular Scaffold Implantation in the Sciatic Nerve of Rats

Vargas-Chávez, Daniel; Veuthey, Carlos; Gutiérrez, Brandon; González-Quijón, María Eugenia; Alarcón-Apablaza, Josefa; Sousa, Luiz Gustavo de; del Sol, Mariano; Dias, Fernando José

doi:10.3390/app16031296

This is an early access version, the complete PDF, HTML, and XML versions will be available soon.

Open AccessArticle

New Insights into Surgical Techniques and Anatomical Landmarks for Tubular Scaffold Implantation in the Sciatic Nerve of Rats

by

Daniel Vargas-Chávez

^1,2

,

Carlos Veuthey

³,

Brandon Gutiérrez

⁴,

María Eugenia González-Quijón

⁵

,

Josefa Alarcón-Apablaza

^1,6

,

Luiz Gustavo de Sousa

⁷,

Mariano del Sol

³

and

Fernando José Dias

^8,9,*

¹

Doctoral Program in Morphological Sciences, Medical School, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco 4780000, Chile

²

Facultad de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud, Escuela Medicina Veterinaria, Universidad Mayor, Temuco 4780000, Chile

³

Centro de Excelencia en Estudios Morfológicos y Quirúrgicos (CEMyQ), Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco 4780000, Chile

⁴

Master Program in Dentistry, Dental School, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco 4780000, Chile

⁵

Department of Chemical Engineering, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco 4780000, Chile

⁶

Research Centre in Dental Sciences (CICO-UFRO), Dental School, Facultad de Odontología, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco 4780000, Chile

⁷

Department of Basic and Oral Biology, Ribeirao Preto School of Dentistry, University of São Paulo—USP, Ribeirão Preto 14040-904, Brazil

⁸

Oral Biology Research Centre (CIBO-UFRO), Dental School, Facultad de Odontología, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco 4780000, Chile

⁹

Department of Integral Adults Dentistry, Dental School, Facultad de Odontología, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco 4780000, Chile

^*

Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.

Appl. Sci. 2026, 16(3), 1296; https://doi.org/10.3390/app16031296

Submission received: 1 December 2025 / Revised: 19 January 2026 / Accepted: 22 January 2026 / Published: 27 January 2026

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Techniques for Neurosurgery)

Download Versions Notes

Featured Application

This ex vivo study provides a standardized, anatomically validated surgical protocol for implanting tubular nerve scaffolds into the rat sciatic nerve. Its primary application is to offer researchers a reproducible, low-variance model for evaluating biomaterials, nerve guidance conduits (NGCs), cellular therapies, and regenerative strategies under controlled experimental conditions. By identifying a precise 7 mm anatomically safe segment for neurotmesis and establishing consistent surgical landmarks and suture techniques, the method reduces procedural variability and the risk of iatrogenic injury. This standardized approach can be directly applied in preclinical testing of novel scaffolds, drug-eluting conduits, stem-cell-based therapies, and bioengineered materials, improving the reliability of translational research in peripheral nerve regeneration.

Abstract

Peripheral nerve injuries, especially neurotmesis, require precise repair strategies due to their severity and limited capacity for spontaneous regeneration. Nerve guidance conduits (NGCs) offer a promising alternative to autografts; however, consistent surgical techniques and anatomical references in rodent models could be enhanced. This ex vivo study focuses on describing and establishing a standardized, reproducible anatomical and technical protocol for implanting an NGC in the sciatic nerve of Wistar rats, identifying a 7 mm segment free of collateral branches as a safe site for neurotmesis. Thirty cadaveric hind limbs were positioned in lateral decubitus, and anatomical landmarks such as the greater trochanter, ischial bone, and femoral condyle guided the incision. A 1 cm scaffold was inserted and secured with 8-0 absorbable sutures, while muscle and skin were closed with 5-0 and non-absorbable sutures. The technique enabled safe access to the nerve, minimized risk to adjacent structures, and ensured proper scaffold positioning without tension. This standardized approach improves surgical reproducibility and supports anatomical integrity; however, because the study used ex vivo cadaveric samples, its capacity to facilitate functional nerve regeneration remains theoretical. While the protocol emphasizes the importance of surgical planning and suture patterns, it cannot account for active biological processes such as angiogenesis, inflammatory response, or axonal growth, which are critical for successful repair. Ultimately, this study provides a reliable anatomical platform for NGC evaluation under controlled experimental conditions, serving as a necessary precursor to in vivo validation of safety and functional outcomes.

Keywords: peripheral nerve regeneration; nerve guide conduit; neural surgical standardization

Share and Cite

MDPI and ACS Style

Vargas-Chávez, D.; Veuthey, C.; Gutiérrez, B.; González-Quijón, M.E.; Alarcón-Apablaza, J.; Sousa, L.G.d.; del Sol, M.; Dias, F.J. New Insights into Surgical Techniques and Anatomical Landmarks for Tubular Scaffold Implantation in the Sciatic Nerve of Rats. Appl. Sci. 2026, 16, 1296. https://doi.org/10.3390/app16031296

AMA Style

Vargas-Chávez D, Veuthey C, Gutiérrez B, González-Quijón ME, Alarcón-Apablaza J, Sousa LGd, del Sol M, Dias FJ. New Insights into Surgical Techniques and Anatomical Landmarks for Tubular Scaffold Implantation in the Sciatic Nerve of Rats. Applied Sciences. 2026; 16(3):1296. https://doi.org/10.3390/app16031296

Chicago/Turabian Style

Vargas-Chávez, Daniel, Carlos Veuthey, Brandon Gutiérrez, María Eugenia González-Quijón, Josefa Alarcón-Apablaza, Luiz Gustavo de Sousa, Mariano del Sol, and Fernando José Dias. 2026. "New Insights into Surgical Techniques and Anatomical Landmarks for Tubular Scaffold Implantation in the Sciatic Nerve of Rats" Applied Sciences 16, no. 3: 1296. https://doi.org/10.3390/app16031296

APA Style

Vargas-Chávez, D., Veuthey, C., Gutiérrez, B., González-Quijón, M. E., Alarcón-Apablaza, J., Sousa, L. G. d., del Sol, M., & Dias, F. J. (2026). New Insights into Surgical Techniques and Anatomical Landmarks for Tubular Scaffold Implantation in the Sciatic Nerve of Rats. Applied Sciences, 16(3), 1296. https://doi.org/10.3390/app16031296

Note that from the first issue of 2016, this journal uses article numbers instead of page numbers. See further details here.

Article Metrics

Article metric data becomes available approximately 24 hours after publication online.

Article Menu

New Insights into Surgical Techniques and Anatomical Landmarks for Tubular Scaffold Implantation in the Sciatic Nerve of Rats

Featured Application

Abstract

Share and Cite

Article Metrics

Further Information

Guidelines

MDPI Initiatives

Follow MDPI