The effect of CO2 laser neurectomy on neuroma formation and axonal regeneration.

The study investigates the impact of CO2 laser neurectomy (nerve removal surgery usually done to relieve pain) on the formation of neuromas (nerve tissue growths) and axonal regeneration (nerve healing) in horses who had undergone surgery for navicular disease.

Research Methodology

• The study was performed on 10 adult horses diagnosed with navicular disease, a degenerative and potentially crippling condition commonly found in horses.
• The horses underwent sharp palmar digital neurectomy, a surgical procedure that involves removing a part of the nerve to relieve pain.
• Following the neurectomy, the researchers applied 18,426 W/cm2 of CO2 laser energy to the proximal, or nearest, stump of the nerve. The objective of using the CO2 laser was to examine its effect on preventing the formation of neuromas and promoting axonal regeneration.
• The horses were monitored clinically for a period of 4 to 23 months post-surgery.
• In order to assess the effects of the CO2 laser treatment, nerve biopsies were taken from two horses: one at the fourth month (from four nerves) and another at the seventh month (from two nerves).

Research Findings

• Nine of the ten horses were found to be sound, or free from pain, immediately after the procedure and at all subsequent follow-up examinations.
• None of the horses showed clinical indications of painful neuroma formation or digital reinnervation.
• Upon examination of the biopsies, researchers found minimal scar tissue at the site of the surgery.
• Furthermore, axonal sprouts, the first steps of nerve regeneration, were seen intertwined within the fibrous tissue, indicating that the CO2 laser treatment may have beneficial effects on nerve healing.

Conclusion

• The study results suggest that the use of CO2 laser neurectomy could potentially serve as an effective technique to prevent neuroma formation and encourage axonal regeneration in horses with navicular disease.
• This research indicates that the CO2 laser neurectomy not only alleviates immediate post-surgical pain, but may also minimize long-term reinjury or nerve growth abnormalities.