Effects of irreversible electroporation on femoral nerves in a rabbit model

Introduction: Irreversible electroporation (IRE) is a novel technique that uses a non-thermal ablation to avoid adjacent major structure injury. The aim of this study was to sequentially evaluate the effects of IRE on the femoral nerve during acute-to-delayed periods in a rabbit model. Material and methods: Ultrasound-guided IRE of femoral neurovascular bundles was performed in seven rabbits. Functional and histopathologic evaluation was performed sequentially after IRE. The extent of nerve fiber affected, and the proportion of perineurial inflammation and surrounding tissue injury were recorded. Results: After IRE, femoral nerve function was damaged before four weeks, but then gradually returned to normal. Perineural inflammatory cell infiltration was most severe three days after IRE (80–85%), and was normalized after eight weeks. Surrounding tissue injury was prominent at three days and one week after IRE (80–90%), and then gradually recovered. However, peripheral nerve fibers were markedly damaged at one and two weeks (80–100%). Nerve fibers then recovered and were normalized at eight weeks. Conclusion: Nerve tissue injury with transient functional impairment can occur after IRE. However, endoneurial and epineurial extracellular matrix were preserved with Schwann cell regeneration, which could lead to regeneration of nerve tissues within eight weeks.