Journal of reconstructive microsurgery
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J Reconstr Microsurg · May 2000
Comparative StudyLong-term evaluation of rat peripheral nerve repair with end-to-side neurorrhaphy.
This study was designed to assess long-term reinnervation of end-to-side neurorrhaphy in the rat. The cut right peroneal nerve was repaired and sutured to the side of the intact tibial nerve. Both the extent of reinnervation and the integrity of the intact donor nerve were evaluated in 48 Sprague-Dawley rats randomly treated with fresh or delayed nerve repair with or without perineurotomy. ⋯ The mean number of myelinated fibers at 12 months postoperatively was significantly higher in animals with a perineurotomy window (compared to without) in both fresh and predegenerated nerve repair subgroups, respectively (p <0.05). These results indicated that end-to-side neurorrhaphy permits axonal regeneration from the intact donor nerve and is associated with satisfactory recovery. The effect of the procedure on the donor nerve was negligible.