Role of Corticosteroids versus Hyaluronic Acid in Healing of Sciatic Nerve Injury in Male Albino Rats

Abstract

Background: Peripheral nerve lesions are common and severe injuries that impact about 2.8% of traumatic patients annually, and result in lifetime disability if untreated. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effect of corticosteroids vs hyaluronic acid in peripheral nerve healing in rats.

Patients and methods: This was experimental and histopathological study that had included (18) Sprague-Dawley rats with an average weight of 300–350 gm. All rats were divided into three groups (n=6 per group). Group 1; Corticosteroids was injected under epineurium after primary repair. Group 2; Hyaluronic acid group: the site of anastomosis was coated by hyaluronic acid after primary repair. Group 3; Primary repair only was done.

Results: 100% of cases in group 1 and group 2 showed satisfactory wound healing and 83.3% in group3 showed satisfactory wound healing with no significant difference between them.

Conclusion: There was an increase in the number of regenerated nerve fibers in the corticosteroids and hyaluronic acid especially on the distal end in comparison to the control group.