[Experimental study on peripheral nerve regeneration after artery sleeve anastomosis and end-to-side suture].
OBJECTIVE
To know the possibility of nerve regeneration after artery sleeve anastomosis and end-to-side suture.


METHODS
Seventy-five SD rats were divided into 5 groups. First, the distal end of severed peroneal nerve was sutured end-to-side with artery sleeve anastomosis with normal nerve tibial trunk in groups A, B, C and D. Second, the tibial epineurium at the suture site was not removed in group A; the epineurium at the suture site was removed (windowing) in group B; the distal end of pre-injured peroneal nerve was sutured after 14 days and windowing was done in group C; and the neural growth factor was injected into artery sleeve and windowing was done in group D. While the distal end of severed peroneal nerve was sutured end to side directly with normal nerve tibial trunk and windowing was done in group E. The histological observation was made and the number of nerve fibers was recorded after 4, 8 and 12 weeks of operation.


RESULTS
After 4 weeks, there existed the regeneration of axons and myeline sheaths in groups C, D, E, and no nerve fiber regeneration was seen in group A. After 8 weeks, the regenerating nerve fibers were significantly more in groups C, D and E than in group B and in group E than groups C and D (P<0.05). After 12 weeks, the regenerating nerve fibers were significantly more in groups C,D and E than in group B (P<0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
End-to-side coaptation with artery sleeve anastomosis is a new valuable method in repair of peripheral nerve injuries.
Li
Zhiyue
Z
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Hengyang Central Hospital, Henyang Hunan, PR China.
Zhao
Qun
Q
Zhu
Jiakai
J
D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical; D000818:Animals; D017536:Carotid Artery, Common / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D009416:Nerve Regeneration; D010543:Peroneal Nerve / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery*; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013979:Tibial Nerve / Q000601:surgery