MODIFIED TRICHROME STAINING TECHNIQUE OF THE NERVE TO DETERMINE PROXIMAL NERVE VIABILITY

Normal myelinated fibers are stained ''red'' by modified trichrome sta ining of the frozen section of the nerve. We have used this technique for rapid assessment of the anatomical integrity of the proximal nerve stump by identifying well-preserved myelinated fibers. This technique can also identify degenerating and degenerated myelinated fibers, fib rosis, and inflammatory cells. We report three cases in which the prac tical usefulness of this technique is demonstrated. (C) 1995 Wiley-Lis s, Inc.