title: Influence of nerve stump transplantation into a vein on neuroma formation.
abstract: The objective of this animal study was to investigate the influence of nerve stump transposition into a vein on neuroma formation. In 24 rats the femoral nerve was severed and the proximal nerve stump was transposed into the lumen of the femoral vein on one side. On the other side, the nerve was severed and left in place. The distal nerve stump was shortened to knee level on both sides. In group 1, the bloodstream was released; in group 2, the segment of the femoral vein containing the nerve stump was excluded from circulation. Histological assessment was performed 8 months later. There were significant differences between the treatment and control sides with respect to neuroma size, endoneural architecture, neural-tissue-to-connective-tissue ratio, and myelination of axons. These data suggest that nerve transposition into a vein could inhibit the formation of classic neuroma.
authors.affiliation: Division of Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Karl-Franzens University Hospital, Graz, Austria.
authors.forename: Horst
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Koch
authors.forename: Timothy J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Herbert
authors.forename: Reinhold
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kleinert
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hubmer
authors.forename: Erwin
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Scharnagl
authors.forename: Gerhard
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pierer
mesh_terms: D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical; D000818:Animals; D005267:Femoral Nerve / Q000601:surgery*; D005268:Femoral Vein / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D009463:Neuroma / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010524:Peripheral Nervous System Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D051381:Rats