Is axonal sprouting able to traverse the conjunctival layers of the peripheral nerve? A behavioral, motor, and sensory study of end-to-side nerve anastomosis.
The repair of large peripheral nerve defects is not always possible, especially when the proximal stump is not available. In these cases, end-to-side nerve anastomosis has been proposed. In the present experiment, using the terminal branches of the rat brachial plexus, the authors studied behavioral responses after end-to-side nerve anastomoses using fibrin glue, 3 and 6 months after surgery. Rats were evaluated by results of a grasping test, a capsaicin test and a hot-plate test. The collected data demonstrated that there was no functional motor or sensory reinnervation after the end-to-side nerve anastomoses. The conjunctive layers of the peripheral nerve thus represented an effective barrier to reinnervation.
Bertelli
J A
JA
Department of Pharmacology, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil.
dos Santos
A R
AR
Calixto
J B
JB
D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical / Q000379:methods; D000818:Animals; D001369:Axons / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D015718:Fibrin Tissue Adhesive; D008475:Median Nerve / Q000502:physiology* / Q000601:surgery; D009416:Nerve Regeneration / Q000502:physiology*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D014014:Tissue Adhesives; D014459:Ulnar Nerve / Q000502:physiology / Q000637:transplantation*
D015718:Fibrin Tissue Adhesive; D014014:Tissue Adhesives