Comparison of the outcome of end to side neurorrhaphy and end to end neurorrhaphy of the peripheral nerves:an experimental study

Objective To evaluate the results of end to side neurorrhaphy and end to end neurorrhaphy after peripheral nerve injury. Methods 12 SD rats were randomly divided into two groups, group A and group B, with 6 rats each. The left common peroneal nerve was repaired in an end to end coaptation after transection. The right common peroneal nerve was repaired in an end to side fashion, the distal end being sutured to the epineurial and perineurial window 0.5 cm proximal to the proximal end. Regeneration was tested via electromyographic examination,muscle wet weight measurement and histological examination at postoperative month one in group A and postoperative month three in group B. Results In both group A and group B, parameters obtained at the end to side neurorrhaphy side were inferior to those of the end to end repair. The neurorrhaphy side latency of the evoked potential was elongated. The amplitude of the evoked potential was lower. The wet weight and the cross sectional area of the anterior tibial muscle was smaller.The number of the myelinated nerve fibers was fewer. The difference was statistically significant (P 0.05). Conclusions The quality of nerve regeneration in end to side neurorrhaphy was inferior to that in end to end neurorrhaphy.