Silk 4.0 sutures

The spared nerve injury (SNI) model of neuropathic pain was performed under Avertine (2,2,2-tribromoethanol, Sigma-Aldrich) general anesthesia, as previously described (7 (link), 41 (link)). Briefly, skin and muscle incisions were made on the left hind leg at mid-thigh level, revealing the sciatic nerve and its three branches. The common peroneal and sural nerves were carefully ligated with 6.0 silk suture (Ethicon, Johnson & Johnson Intl.), transected, and a 1–2mm sections of each of these nerves were removed. The tibial nerve was left intact. Skin was then closed and stitched with silk 4.0 sutures (Ethicon, Johnson & Johnson Intl). Sham operated mice were exposed to the same procedure but all nerves were left intact.

The spared nerve injury (SNI) model of neuropathic pain was performed under Avertine (2,2,2-tribromoethanol, Aldrich) general anesthesia, as previously described (Shields et al 2003 (link), Stratinaki et al 2013 ). Skin and muscle incision of the left hind-limp at mid-thigh level revealed the sciatic nerve and its three branches, with the help of a stereomicroscope. The common peroneal and the sural nerves were carefully ligated with 6.0 silk suture (Ethicon, Johnson & Johnson Intl.), transected and 1–2mm sections of these nerves were removed, while the tibial nerve was left intact. Skin was then closed with silk 4.0 sutures (Ethicon, Johnson & Johnson Intl). In sham-operated mice the same procedure was followed but the nerves were left intact.