EFFECT OF SURGICAL TRAUMA ON REGIONAL BLOOD-FLOW IN RAT SCIATIC-NERVE

The factors affecting peripheral nerve blood how (NBF) are not well de fined. We used [C-14]butanol distribution to quantitate NBF in rat sci atic nerve following either (1) simple surgical exposure (EXP) or (2) EXP plus nerve mobilization and isolation (ISOL). Undisturbed contrala teral nerves were controls. The epineurial contribution to NBF after E XP was also assessed. Results (units: ml.min(-1).100 g(-1)): Within 1 to 6 h after EXP (N = 7), NBF was 22.1 +/- 2.7 vs 11.9 +/- 1.5 control (P <0.01). Seven to 24 h after EXP (N = 6), NBF was unchanged from co ntrol. Two hours following EXP, both endoneurial NBF and total (epineu rial plus endoneurial) NBF were elevated (P <0.05, P <0.02, respective ly). Within 48 h after ISOL (N = 6) NBF was 30.3 +/- 3.9 vs 13.2 +/- 2 .1 control (P <0.005). Three to seven days after ISOL (N = 8), NBF was unchanged from control. Conclusion: Surgical trauma induces a brisk f low response in peripheral nerve that is proportionate in duration to the trauma severity. Measurements of NBF after EXP or ISOL are therefo re potentially misleading if the changes in NBF due to the trauma are not accounted for. (C) 1994 Academic Press, Inc.