Tehran University of Medical Sciences Journal of Orthopedic and Spine Trauma 2538-2330 1 1 2015 07 11 108 108 Shayan Abdollah Zadegan Research Center for Neural Repair (RCNR), Animal Laboratory Department, University of Tehran, Tehran, IR Iran AND Tissue Repair Lab, Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics (IBB), University of Tehran, Tehran IR Iran Masoumeh Firouzi Research Center for Neural Repair (RCNR), Animal Laboratory Department, University of Tehran, Tehran, IR Iran AND Tissue Repair Lab, Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics (IBB), University of Tehran, Tehran IR Iran Mohammad Hossein Nabian Research Center for Neural Repair (RCNR), Animal Laboratory Department, University of Tehran, Tehran, IR Iran AND Department of Orthopedic and Trauma Surgery, Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran Leila Oryadi Zanjani Research Center for Neural Repair (RCNR), Animal Laboratory Department, University of Tehran, Tehran, IR Iran AND Department of Orthopedic and Trauma Surgery, Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran Mohsen Nategh Research Center for Neural Repair (RCNR), Animal Laboratory Department, University of Tehran, Tehran, IR Iran AND Tissue Repair Lab, Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics (IBB), University of Tehran, Tehran IR Iran Reza Shahryar Kamrani Department of Orthopedic and Trauma Surgery, Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran AND Joint Reconstruction Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran 2019 07 18 Background: Comparative studies on the effect of different tissue dissection techniques concerning adhesion, scar formation and functional impact on nerve and muscles are scarce, especially in orthopedic traumatic conditions. Objectives: In the present experimental study, we aimed to investigate the impact of the choice of dissection technique on the peripheral nerve and surrounding tissues in a rat model of lower limb injury. Materials and Methods: Forty adult female Wistar rats were divided into five groups (n = 8): In group 1, surgical blade was used to simulate sharp dissection; in group 2, a standard surgical forceps was used to simulate dissection with muscle contusion; In group 3, a small piece of compressed steel wool was used to simulate abrading during dissection; In group 4, extracorporeally minced muscles were used to simulate aggressive dissection; In group 5, a bipolar electrocoagulation instrument was used to simulate electrocautery dissection. During 3 weeks, the five groups were evaluated with functional assessment by toe out angle (TOA), morphological assessments by Petersen gross anatomical scale and histological assessment by scar formation index. Results: The mean TOA was higher significantly in group 5 (P < 0.001). The largest mass of gross scar and the highest nerve adherence (grade 3) was detected in group 4 (P = 0.002). Scar index in all experimental groups was significantly higher than normal (P < 0.001). Group 4 showed the highest scar index (P = 0.000) and group 1 showed the lowest scar index. Conclusions: Deep dissection with sharp cutting tools, results in low scar formation, tissue adhesion and subsequent indirect nerve injury. Electrocoagulation dissection may have side effects on adjacent nerves. Aggressive dissection, abrading during dissection and contusion should be avoided. https://jost.tums.ac.ir/index.php/jost/article/view/108 https://jost.tums.ac.ir/index.php/jost/article/download/108/108