Contribution of the proximal nerve stump in end-to-side nerve repair: in a rat model.
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to evaluate the contribution of the proximal nerve stump, in end-to-side nerve repair, to functional recovery, by modifying the classic end-to-side neurorrhaphy and suturing the proximal nerve stump to a donor nerve in a rat model of a severed median nerve.


METHODS
Three experimental groups were studied: a modified end-to-side neurorrhaphy with suturing of the proximal nerve stump (double end-to-side neurorrhaphy, Group I), a classic end-to-side neurorrhaphy (Group II) and a control group without neurorrhaphy (Group III). Twenty weeks after surgery, grasping testing, muscle contractility testing, and histological studies were performed.


RESULTS
The grasping strength, muscle contraction force and nerve fiber count were significantly higher in group I than in group II, and there was no evidence of nerve recovery in group III.


CONCLUSIONS
The contribution from the proximal nerve stump in double end-to-side nerve repair might improve axonal sprouting from the donor nerve and help achieve a better functional recovery in an end-to-side coaptation model.
Jung
Jun Mo
JM
Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Yeson Hospital, Bucheon, Korea.
Chung
Moon Sang
MS
Kim
Min Bom
MB
Baek
Goo Hyun
GH
D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical / Q000379:methods; D000818:Animals; D001369:Axons / Q000473:pathology; D005552:Forelimb; D018737:Hand Strength; D008297:Male; D008475:Median Nerve / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D009119:Muscle Contraction; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000503:physiopathology; D009416:Nerve Regeneration; D016067:Nerve Transfer / Q000379:methods*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D020127:Recovery of Function; D014459:Ulnar Nerve / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*