Adverse effects of saline neurolysis on a chronically compressed rat sciatic nerve

We have evaluated the effect of saline neurolysis compared with a simple de compression procedure on chronically compressed sciatic nerves in rats. Eig ht months after the initiation of nerve compression within a silicone tube, rats were divided into three groups of 35. In group I, saline was injected subepineurially at the compressed segment of the nerve after removal of th e tube (decompression plus saline neurolysis). The nerves in group II were treated by removal of the tube only (simple decompression). In group III th e tubes were left in place. Adding saline neurolysis to decompression provi ded no histological, morphometric, electrophysiological, or vascular advant ages up to four months, and even gave worse results than simple decompressi on. We conclude that saline neurolysis has no beneficial effect on a chroni cally compressed nerve and it is not recommended for clinical use.