Influence of Coaptation Position on the Regenerating Nerve in End-to-Side Neurorrhaphy

Objective:To study the influence of coaptation position on the outcomes of regenerating nerve after end-to-side neurorrhaphy.Methods:Fifty-eight healthy New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into three groups.Ten animals for positioning group were used for identifying the tibial nerve.The other 48 rabbits which were cut off common peroneal nerve underwent end-to-side neurorrhaphy at motor nerve fibers concentrated(group A) or at mixed nerve fibers concentrated.After 1,2,and 3 month(s) respectively,electrophysiological tests and immunohistochemistry were adopted to evaluate the regenerating of common peroneal nerve.Results:Myelinated nerve fibers and unmyelinated fiber clumps were distinguished in the light microscope.With prolonged operation time,regenerated nerve's evoked potential latency gradually shortened,amplitude increased,muscle wet weight and cross-sectional area of muscle fiber increased,the number of myelinated nerve fibers and cross-sectional area of nerve bundles in common peroneal nerve were significantly larger,expression of anti-neurofilament gradually increased,and the nerve regenerating results in group A was better than in group B.Conclusion:When anastomosis lies at the motor nerves focused in the end-to-side anastomosis of peripheral nerve,the regenerating motor nerve fibers will be more and better,and its dominant muscle function recovers better.