Sciatic Nerve Crush

Tools and Reagents

  • Fine forceps (#3, #55, small scissors)
  • Alcohol 70%
  • Alcohol pads
  • 7 mm Steel wound clips (Roboz Surgical Instrument RS-9258)
  • Nylon Non-Absorbable Sutures (VWR 89219-126)

Preparation

  • Turn on steri-beads 10 minutes prior to starting
  • Turn the isoflurane to 2.5% on the dial and 2% on the regulator
  • Turn the oxygen on to 30 (on)
  • Open all valves 50-75% of the way
  • Turn the vacuum on
  • Wear sterile gloves, hair net, and mask.

Surgery Procedure

  1. Place the mouse in the anesthesia chamber until unconscious
  2. Take the mouse and place it with the nose in the tube
    • Use something heavy, like a wrench, to hold the tube
  3. Shave the back half of the right side and suck up the hair with the vacuum from the hood
  4. Clean the surgery area with an alcohol pad
  5. Pinch the skin at the top of the leg bone (the bulge) with blunt forceps and cut to open the area
  6. Posterior to the femur is the sciatic nerve. Cut the muscle parallel to the femur to find it.
  7. Use the #3’s and #55’s forceps to clear connective tissue to ensure you can access the whole nerve’s circumference
  8. Pinch and hold the nerve for 10 seconds with a #55 forceps
  9. Close the wound area using 3 sutures and 2 steel clips.
    • Suture by going through both sides, looping around the blunt forceps, and pulling. Make double knots.
    • After sutures, apply clips.
  10. Put the mouse gently back into the cage

Notes

  • Clean tools with 70% ethanol and sterile in steri-beads between mice unless
  • Monitor mouse few minutes after surgery for normal behavior