Publications by authors named "Alexander Heilman"
Spina bifida is the most common nonchromosomal birth defect, resulting in permanent disability of multiple organ systems, yet compatible with long-term survival. Important advances across various disciplines have now improved survival among the spina bifida population. Although the majority of individuals living with spina bifida are now adults, there are few publications in the neurosurgical literature regarding the care of adults with spina bifida, associated medical conditions, surgical interventions, and long-term complications.
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- A study explored the use of biodegradable magnesium filaments within nerve conduits to replace autografts for repairing peripheral nerve injuries in adult rats.
- Results showed that magnesium filaments supported nerve repair, with better axon growth compared to empty conduits or those with titanium filaments, especially after a 6 mm gap and 6 weeks post-repair.
- Despite less improvement in nerve regeneration with longer gaps (15 mm) and more time (16 weeks), magnesium filaments demonstrated biocompatibility and enhanced tissue conditions compared to empty conduits, making them a promising option for future nerve repair strategies.
Background: Biomedical implants used in tissue engineering repairs, such as scaffolds to repair peripheral nerves, can be too large to examine completely with histological analyses. Micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) with contrast agents allows ex vivo visualization of entire biomaterial implants and their interactions with tissues, but contrast agents can interfere with histological analyses of the tissues or cause shrinkage or loss of antigenicity.
New Method: Soft tissue, ex vivo micro-CT imaging using Lugol's iodine was compatible with histology after using a rapid (48 h) method of removing iodine.