THE VALUE OF AN OPERATING MICROSCOPE IN PERIPHERAL-NERVE REPAIR - AN EXPERIMENTAL-STUDY USING A RAT MODEL OF TIBIAL NERVE GRAFTING

The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that the use of an op erating microscope improves the results of peripheral nerve repair. Ti bial nerve grafting was carried out on 48 Fischer rates divided into 2 groups: in one, a loupe was used, and in the other a surgical microsc ope. At 5 months after grafting, recovery was evaluated by functional, electromyographic, and morphometric tests. The mean motor nerve condu ction velocity was 26.77 +/- 9.37 m/sec in the group where the loupe w as used compared with 44.19 +/- 11.36 m/s when the microscope group wa s used. The soleus muscle weight and the diameter of myelinated fibres also confirmed better regeneration in the microscope group. These res ults clearly indicate that it is essential to use the microscope for p eripheral nerve repair.