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. 2019 May 10;13:149. doi: 10.3389/fncel.2019.00149

Table 1.

Summary of functional recovery based on successful participation in the grasping and the staircase test and on evocable CMAPs recorded from the thenar muscle upon electric stimulation of the reconstructed median nerve.

4 Weeks post-surgery
 8 Weeks post-surgery
 12 Weeks post-surgery
 16 Weeks post-surgery
 Total best
Forelimbs/group [%] Forelimbs/group [%] Forelimbs/group [%] Forelimbs/group [%] Forelimbs/group [%]
Grasping testa ANG 0/8 0.0 8/8 100.0• 6/8 75.0#,Inline graphic 6/8 75.0#,Inline graphic 8/8 100.0•
CNG 0/8 0.0 1/8 12.5Inline graphic,∗ 3/8 37.5 3/8 37.5 6/8 75.0
CNG[F] 0/8 0.0 0/8 0.0 4/8 50.0 3/8 37.5 5/8 62.5
corrCNG[F] 0/8 0.0 0/8 0.0 6/8 75.0#,Inline graphic 5/8 62.5#,Inline graphic 7/8 87.5Inline graphic
Staircase testb ANG 1/6 16.7• 6/6 100.0• 6/6 100.0#,Inline graphic 6/6 100.0#,Inline graphic 6/6 100.0#,Inline graphic
CNG 0/6 0.0 1/6 16.7 4/6 66.7Inline graphic 4/6 66.7 4/6 66.7
CNG[F] 0/6 0.0 1/6 16.7 3/6 50.0 5/6 83.3# 5/6 83.3#
corrCNG[F] 0/6 0.0 1/6 16.7 6/6 100.0#,Inline graphic 6/6 100.0#,Inline graphic 6/6 100.0#,Inline graphic
Electro-diagnostic recordingsc ANG 8/8 100.0Inline graphic,∗ 8/8 100.0#,Inline graphic 8/8 100.0 8/8 100.0 8/8 100.0
CNG 8/8 100.0Inline graphic,∗ 7/8 87.5 8/8 100.0 8/8 100.0 8/8 100.0
CNG[F] 5/8 62.5 7/8 87.5 8/8 100.0 8/8 100.0 8/8 100.0
corrCNG[F] 6/8 75.0 8/8 100.0#,Inline graphic 8/8 100.0 8/8 100.0 8/8 100.0

The process of recovery started with evocable CMAPs upon electrodiagnostic measurements, followed by participation in the staircase test and at latest participation in the grasping test was detected. At the end of the study, all animals showed recordable CMAPs. Full recovery of gross motor function (grasping test) in 100% of the tested forelimbs was only achieved by the ANG group, while full recovery of fine motor skills (staircase test) in all tested forelimbs was present in the ANG and corrCNG[F] groups. ANG, autologous nerve graft; CNG, chitosan nerve guide; CNG[F], chitosan-film enhanced chitosan nerve guide; corrCNG[F], corrugated chitosan-film enhanced chitosan nerve guide. Values are given as total numbers (forelimbs successfully participating per group) as well as percentages (%). aForelimbs were evaluated as successfully participating when displaying recovery of function of Category 3 (ability to grasp and pull the bar with a detectable force). bForelimbs were evaluated as successfully participating, when they retrieved more than three pellets because three pellets on the first step could be reached with their tongue and mouth. cForelimbs were evaluated as successfully, when evocable CMAPs recorded from the thenar muscle were detected. Statistical differences were calculated with the Chi-square test between single group pairs at the same time point (•p < 0.05 ANG vs. all nerve guide groups, #p < 0.05 vs. CNG, Inline graphicp < 0.05 vs. CNG[F], ∗p < 0.05 vs. corrCNG[F]).