END-TO-SIDE NEURORRHAPHY - A HISTOLOGIC AND MORPHOMETRIC STUDY OF AXONAL SPROUTING INTO AN END-TO-SIDE NERVE GRAFT

This study investigated axonal regeneration in a denervated nerve graf t sutured end-to-side with a main peripheral nerve trunk. To demonstra te morphologic changes, the peroneal nerve was severed in a rat and co apted end-to-side to the posterior tibial nerve. The integrity of the epineurial and perineurial sheath was altered in four different groups . Histologic evaluation 30 days after operation showed axonal regenera tion in the nerve graft in all groups. Morphometric analysis of cross sections of the grafted nerve elucidated the importance of severance o f the perineurium in end-to-side neurorrhaphy.