Nerve Injury Model in Rabbits: Benefits and Pitfalls

Abstract

Peripheral nerve injury is widely studied through the sciatic nerve injury model. Although many animal models are used for sciatic nerve injury studies, rabbits are reported as the third most commonly used animal model. However, there is a significant gap in the literature describing common postoperative complications following sciatic nerve injury in rabbits. This chapter analyzed postoperative complications recorded from an original study that tested 40 mm sciatic nerve gap repairs in 56 rabbits. Autophagy of the toes and pressure ulcer development on the injured limb were the two most common and severe postoperative complications seen. These impairments ultimately led to 23.2% of the rabbits requiring euthanasia prior to the study endpoint. This raised the cost of the study by over $25,000. This chapter outlines the risks and benefits of using this animal model in sciatic nerve injury studies. It also proposes treatment methods for common postoperative complications that can substantially reduce future study costs. To preserve ethical animal care standards in research, we recommend alternative models be used instead of rabbits to study sciatic nerve injuries. However, if rabbits must be used, we encourage using the treatment protocol outlined below.