title: A biological tube technique for the repair of peripheral nerve defects using 'stuffed nerves'.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Presently described is research examining the "stuffed nerve" technique to repair peripheral nerve defects.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-one male Wistar Albino rats were divided into 3 groups of 7, and standard 10-mm defects were created in the sciatic nerve of all subjects. Rats were treated with autogenous nerve graft (Group 1), hollow vein graft (Group 2), or vein graft stuffed with shredded nerves (Group 3). After 12 weeks, electrophysiological and histomorphological analyses were performed to evaluate axonal regeneration.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Rat groups were compared in terms of latency period and peak-to-peak potential. Latency period was significantly shorter and peak-to-peak potential was significantly greater in Group 1 than in Group 2. However, latency period and peak-to-peak potential did not differ significantly between Groups 1 and 3 or between Groups 2 and 3. To evaluate axonal regeneration, number of axons, axon diameter and myelin sheath thickness was compared between groups. Results indicated that axonal regeneration was similar in Groups 1 and 3, and was better than results seen in Group 2.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The stuffed nerve technique is an alternative to autogenous nerve grafting and produces similar electrophysiological and histomorphological properties.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Hinis Şehit Yavuz Yürekseven State Hospital, Erzurum-Turkey. sercancapkn@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Sercan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Çapkın
authors.forename: Mustafa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Akhisaroğlu
authors.forename: Bekir Uğur
authors.initials: BU
authors.lastname: Ergür
authors.forename: Ali Abdülkadir
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Bacakoğlu
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D008297:Male; D009416:Nerve Regeneration; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D059348:Peripheral Nerve Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012584:Sciatic Nerve / Q000293:injuries / Q000502:physiology / Q000601:surgery; D019737:Transplants