title: Correlation analysis of histomorphometry and motor neurography in the median nerve rat model.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Standard methods to evaluate the functional regeneration after injury of the rat median nerve are insufficient to identify any further differences of axonal nerve regeneration after restitution of motor recovery is completed. An important complementary method for assessing such differences is a histomorphometric analysis of the distal to lesion nerve fibers. Recently, an electrophysiological method has been proposed as a sensitive method to examine the quality of axonal nerve regeneration.
  
  
  METHODS
  A linear regression analysis has been performed to correlate histomorphometric and neurographic data originating from 31 rats subjected to neurotmesis and immediate reconstruction of their right median nerve.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A significant linear correlation between the velocity of neuromuscular conduction and the total number of nerve fibers (P = .037) as well as between the amplitude of compound muscle action potential and the total number of nerve fibers (P = .026) has been identified. Interestingly, a significant correlation between the velocity of neuromuscular conduction and the square root of the cross-sectional area of the nerve could be found (P = .008). This corresponds to a linear correlation between the velocity of neuromuscular conduction and the radius of the nerve.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results contribute in a better interpretation of morphological predictors of nerve regeneration and verify the previously described electrophysiological assessment in the median nerve rat model as a valid method.
authors.affiliation: Clinic of Hand, Plastic, and Reconstructive Surgery with Burn Unit, BG-Trauma Centre, University of Tuebingen, Schnarrenbergstr. 95, 72076 Tuebingen, Germany.
authors.forename: Theodora
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Manoli
authors.affiliation: Clinic of Hand, Plastic, and Reconstructive Surgery with Burn Unit, BG-Trauma Centre, University of Tuebingen, Schnarrenbergstr. 95, 72076 Tuebingen, Germany.
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Werdin
authors.affiliation: Clinic of Hand, Plastic, and Reconstructive Surgery with Burn Unit, BG-Trauma Centre, University of Tuebingen, Schnarrenbergstr. 95, 72076 Tuebingen, Germany.
authors.forename: Hannes
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Gruessinger
authors.affiliation: Clinic of Hand, Plastic, and Reconstructive Surgery with Burn Unit, BG-Trauma Centre, University of Tuebingen, Schnarrenbergstr. 95, 72076 Tuebingen, Germany.
authors.forename: Nektarios
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sinis
authors.affiliation: Clinic of Hand, Plastic, and Reconstructive Surgery with Burn Unit, BG-Trauma Centre, University of Tuebingen, Schnarrenbergstr. 95, 72076 Tuebingen, Germany.
authors.forename: Jennifer Lynn
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Schiefer
authors.affiliation: Clinic of Hand, Plastic, and Reconstructive Surgery with Burn Unit, BG-Trauma Centre, University of Tuebingen, Schnarrenbergstr. 95, 72076 Tuebingen, Germany.
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Jaminet
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, San Luigi Hospital, Orbassano (TO), Azienda Ospedaliera San Luigi - Regione Gonzole 10, 10043 Turin, Italy.
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Geuna
authors.affiliation: Clinic of Hand, Plastic, and Reconstructive Surgery with Burn Unit, BG-Trauma Centre, University of Tuebingen, Schnarrenbergstr. 95, 72076 Tuebingen, Germany.
authors.forename: Hans-Eberhard
authors.initials: HE
authors.lastname: Schaller
keywords: electrophysiology; median nerve; morphometry; nerve regeneration; neurography