Micro renathane 0.095 1 d 0 066 o d

All subjects underwent complete transection of the radial nerve proximal to the elbow followed by tubular repair in the trained right forelimb, as previously described^{9 (link)}. Animals were deeply anesthetized with ketamine hydrochloride (80 mg/kg, IP) and xylazine (10 mg/kg, IP), and given supplemental doses as needed to maintain areflexia. A small incision was made proximal to the elbow in the right forelimb, and the radial nerve carefully isolated, exposed, and completely transected with micro-scissors. Immediately following transection, the proximal and distal stumps of the nerve were sutured 1 mm inside the opposite ends of a 6 mm saline filled polyurethane tube (Micro-Renathane 0.095″ I.D 0.066″ O.D., Braintree Scientific, Inc., Braintree, MA), resulting in a 4 mm gap between nerve stumps. The skin incision was sutured and treated with antibiotic ointment. All animals were given a single injection of enrofloxacin (7.5 mg/kg, IP) and sustained release buprenorphine (1.2 mg/kg, SC) immediately following surgery.

All animals underwent transection and repair of the median and ulnar nerves to generate chronic sensory loss, as described in previous studies [17 (link), 29 , 30 (link)]. Animals were deeply anesthetized with ketamine hydrochloride (50 mg/kg, IP), xylazine (20 mg/kg, IP), and acepromazine (5 mg/kg) and supplemented as necessary to maintain areflexia. The animal was placed in a supine position, and a sagittal incision was made 1cm proximal to the elbow of the right forelimb. The surrounding tissue was blunt dissected to expose, separate, and transect the median and ulnar nerves. The proximal and distal nerve stumps were sutured 1 mm from the ends of an 8 mm saline-filled polyurethane tube (Micro-Renathane 0.095” I.D 0.066” O.D., Braintree Scientific, Inc., Braintree, MA), resulting in a 6 mm gap between nerve stumps. The skin incision was sutured and covered in a triple antibiotic ointment. After surgery, animals were given subcutaneous injections of sustained release buprenorphine (10 mg/kg) and 10 ml of a solution of lactated ringers with 5% dextrose. Animals were outfitted with an Elizabethan collar for 4 days to prevent autophagia. Animals were allowed to recover for 8 weeks prior to the resumption of behavioral testing.