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Nerve regeneration through a healthy peripheral nerve trunk as a nerve conduit: A preliminary study of a new concept in peripheral nerve surgery
Author(s) -
Yüksel Fuat,
Ülkür Ersi̇n,
Baloğlu Hüseyi̇n,
Çeli̇köz Bahatti̇n
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
microsurgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.031
H-Index - 63
eISSN - 1098-2752
pISSN - 0738-1085
DOI - 10.1002/micr.21741
Subject(s) - epineurial repair , medicine , epineurium , trunk , anatomy , nerve guidance conduit , regeneration (biology) , sciatic nerve , peripheral nerve , tibial nerve , anastomosis , microsurgery , surgery , stimulation , biology , ecology , microbiology and biotechnology
Abstract The popularity of nerve conduits has increased recently due to the need for alternative nerve reconstruction techniques, obviating the harvest of nerve grafts. Based on ideas suggesting nerve tissue itself, which was the most physiologic environment for nerve regeneration, a study using 40 sciatic nerves of 20 rats was performed. The proximal stumps of transected peroneal nerves were sutured to the lateral wall of healthy tibial nerve trunks after removal of the epineurium. Twelve weeks later, tissue samples were taken from the anastomosis sites and from the levels above and below these sites. Configurations of fascicles were evaluated, and numbers of fibers were estimated. It was observed that the fibers of peroneal nerves regenerated into and through the tibial nerve trunk distally. This suggested that active regenerating fibers of a proximal stump of a nerve could regenerate and progress as a fascicular unit in optimum condition at the trunk of another healthy nerve. This preliminary study should stimulate further studies based on this new concept: that a nerve trunk can serve as the host for the regenerating fibers of another nerve. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. MICROSURGERY 22:138–143 2002