Open AccessThe reasons for end-to-side coaptation: how does lateral axon sprouting work?
Author(s) -
Stefano Geuna,
I. Papalia,
Giulia Ronchi,
Francesco Stagno d’Alcontres,
Konstantinos Natsis,
Nikolaos Α. Papadopulos,
Michele Rosario Colonna
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
neural regeneration research/neural regeneration research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.93
H-Index - 38
eISSN - 1876-7958
pISSN - 1673-5374
DOI - 10.4103/1673-5374.205081
Subject(s) - epineurium , axon , neuroscience , medicine , schwann cell , antidromic , trunk , epineurial repair , mechanism (biology) , nerve repair , anatomy , peripheral nerve , biology , electrophysiology , physics , ecology , quantum mechanics
Nerve fibers are attracted by sutureless end-to-side nerve coaptation into the recipient nerve. Opening a window in the epineurium enhances axon attraction and myelination. The authors analyze the features of nerve repair by end-to-side coaptation. They highlight the known mechanisms of axon sprouting and different hypotheses of start up signals (presence or absence of an epineurial window, role of Schwann cells, signaling from the distal trunk). The clinical literature is also presented and differences between experimental and clinical applications are pointed out. The authors propose their point of view and perspectives deriving from recent experimental and clinical experiences.