With the present experimental study, the authors tried to evaluate the effect of Dimethylssulfoxide (DMSO) in peripheral nerve regeneration not only after local but also after systemic use.Citation1 DMSO is an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent which is used for the protection of brain tissue against oxidative injury die to ischemia. The authors should be congratulated for this publication due to the fact that this study may serve as the inception of further studies which may establish new treatment protocols for peripheral nerve injuries.
Peripheral nerve injuries are common in several forms of extremity trauma and may be result even from simple injuries such as ankle sprains.Citation2 The basic principle of peripheral nerve repair is the suturing without tension.Citation3,Citation4 The management of these injuries consist a challenge for the surgeon and several factors affect the final result.Citation5 After the use of DMSO (both systemic and local use), the results were promising concerning macroscopic findings, the axon diameter, the electrophysiological findings and the clinical findings as well despite the fact that S-100 protein expression in the myelin sheath was not increased. In general, the use of DMSO, according to the results of the study, seems to promote nerve regeneration, nevertheless it was found that local use may be more beneficial than systemic.
We encourage readers to consider adopting similar experimental protocols with different techniques of nerve suturing as well as different dosages in local use, even in combination with the use of neurotubes. Despite the promising results more research is needed in order to standardize the dosage of DMSO and evaluation of longer-term results. Thanks to the present experimental effort, an additional “weapon” for improving nerve regeneration after trauma can be added in surgeon’s options.
Declaration of interest
The authors declare no conflict of interest.
References
- Sanli E, Dincel GC, Umay E. Effect of local and systemic dimethylsulfoxide on peripheral nerve repair: A controlled randomized experimental study. J Invest Surg. 2021;34(4):454–465. doi:10.1080/08941939.2019.1644403.
- Beris A, Gkiatas I, Gelalis I, et al. Current concepts in peripheral nerve surgery. Eur J Orthop Surg Traumatol. 2019;29:263–269. doi:10.1007/s00590-018-2344-2.
- Millesi H. Interfascicular nerve grafting. Orthop Clin North Am. 1981;12:287–301.
- Campbell W. Evaluation and management of peripheral nerve injury. Clin Neurophysiol. 2008;119:1951–1965. doi:10.1016/j.clinph.2008.03.018.
- Lundborg G, Dahlin L, Danielsen N, et al. Trophism, tropism, and specificity in nerve regeneration. J Reconstr Microsurg. 1994;10:345–354. doi:10.1055/s-2007-1006604.