The synergistic enhancement of pathology in intermittently cooled nerve

Objective To explore how non-freezing cold nerve injury (NFCNI) is affected by fluctuating ambient temperatures. Methods The sciatic nerves of Wistar rats were exposed to either intermitte nt cooling and rewarming or continuous cooling. The pathology was assessed neurophysiologically and morphologically. Results More severe injury was observed when nerve was intermittently coole d, despite an identical duration and degree of cooling. Conclusion The observed pathology is a result of repeated reperfusion injur y to nerves that are cooled intermittently.