title: A new epineural nerve repair technique with external metallic circle.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Despite the existence of various nerve coaptation techniques, functional results of nerve repair are still inadequate. Potential benefits of developing modified coaptation techniques cannot be disregarded.
  
  
  METHODS
  The authors report a new coaptation technique in which the epineural sutures were performed with an external metallic circle to increase the coaptation surface. The sciatic nerves of 30 male Wistar albino rats were used in the study.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean Sciatic Function Index values in external metallic circle repair (n:11) and conventional epineural repair (n:10) groups were -42.35 +/- 22.95 and -69.34 +/- 17.96, respectively (p = 0.020). Electrophysiological studies revealed that the duration of compound muscle action potentials (CMAP) was (p = 0,012) shorter in conventional nerve repair group than it was in external metallic nerve repair. When external metallic circle repair and conventional epineural repair groups were examined for distal nerve segments, there were significant findings for the diameter of axons (p = 0.005), diameter of nerves (p = 0.000), and for G ratios (p = 0.000). The mean intraepineural cross sectional areas of external metallic circle repair and conventional epineural repair groups were 3.57 +/- 0.21 and 2.92 +/- 0.23 mm(2), respectively (p = 0.000).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The external metallic circle repair technique enhances nerve regeneration by enabling a larger sprouting and contact area for nerve fibers.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Sihhiye, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Aycan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kayikçioğlu
authors.forename: Sebat
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Karamürsel
authors.forename: Mehmet
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Demirci
authors.forename: Sevim
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Erdem
authors.forename: Abdullah
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Keçik
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004594:Electrophysiology; D008297:Male; D009416:Nerve Regeneration / Q000502:physiology*; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012584:Sciatic Nerve / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D013536:Suture Techniques