Controlled Cervical Laceration Injury in Mice

This paper introduces a refined surgical method for creating spinal cord laceration injuries in mice, specifically in the cervical region. The new method focuses on stabilizing the spine to allow for accuracy when creating the laceration. This allows for a more controlled lesion. The technique involves vertebral facet fixation to stabilize the cervical vertebrae, enhanced spinal cord exposure, and the use of an oscillating blade to create a reproducible laceration with minimal contusion. The depth of the laceration can be controlled with an accuracy of ±0.01 mm. This precise laceration model is especially beneficial for studying axonal regeneration, as it allows for consistent and complete transection of specific spinal cord pathways like the corticospinal, rubrospinal, and dorsal ascending tracts.

• 1
  The described method allows for a reproducible cervical spinal cord laceration injury in mice with an accuracy of ±0.01 mm in lesion depth.
• 2
  The vertebral stabilization device effectively addresses the anatomical challenges posed by the mouse cervical spine, such as its lordotic curve and the fragility of the spinous processes.
• 3
  The use of an oscillating blade minimizes tissue deformation and avoids the contusion commonly associated with freehand laceration techniques.