在選用何種神經接合術來修補受損周邊神經時，其神經斷裂的長度是最重要的考慮因素。神經斷端接合及神經束接合法已經成功的應用於較短斷裂神經之修補，但當神經損傷太長而無法直接接合神經斷端時，神經自體移植法及神經管接合法便應運而生。因神經自體移植法並不會產生嚴重的組織反應，於是此種方法在各種神經接合術中為最佳選擇。但由於取得捐贈神經相當困難和為了避免在手術取得捐贈神經的過程中產生危險，於是利用人造神經管來修補斷裂神經成為另一選擇。近年來許多研究均顯示雷射能刺激對受損神經的再生有促進的效果。唯相關文獻結果均以小斷裂神經之修補為研究目標，對臨床上常見之大截斷神經之修補助益不大。同時，雷射能對特定腧穴上之刺激是否對損傷神經再生有任何作用，在文獻中仍無人探討。本實驗遂將試以矽膠製神經管對老鼠之截斷坐骨神經做一接合。同時對此截斷1 cm 之神經斷端兩側腧穴做雷射能刺激。其結果除了可探討雷射能刺激對大截斷神經再生的影響，同時對於神經系統與腧穴之關係有更深入的瞭解。
To further study the applications of biomaterials on nerve regeneration, developing novel techniques in tissue engineering is necessary. Among which, combining Chinese medical science with tissue engineering can be seen a major trend in studies of neuroscience. In the present study, we will implant a silicone rubber chamber to bridge a 10-mm gap for rat sciatic nerves. Acupoints at the proximal and the distal sites of the nerve stumps will be stimulated using the laser energy. Qualitative, quantitative, and electro-physiological analyses of the nerve sections will be used to evaluate the recovery of the injured animals after 8 weeks of implantation. From the results, we will know the effect of laser energy applying on acupoints for nerve regeneration.
