Spinal Cord Hemisection in Mice

Mice were anesthetized with MMF (medetomidin 0.5 mg/kg, Orion Pharma; midazolam 5.0 mg/kg, Ratiopharm; fentanyl 0.05 mg/kg, B. Braun). Once the mice presented no reflex reaction from paw pinching, their backs were shaved and a laminectomy was performed at T8 levels. The dura was exposed, and a dorsal hemisection was performed using irridectomy scissors^{38 ,58 (link)} (Bradley et al.^{58 (link)}; Loy et al.^{59 (link)}). After the hemisection, the wound was closed, and the skin was sutured. An antagonist mix was given (atipamezole 2.5 mg/kg, flumazenil 0.5 mg/kg, and naloxon 1.2 mg/kg), and mice were kept on a heating pad until completely awake. Mice received meloxicam (Metacam, 1.5 mg/ml oral suspension) at 12, 24, and 48 h following the injury.