Experimental model of nervous anastomosis between intercostal and lumbar nerves in the rabbit.

The authors propose a new experimental model of nervous anastomosis between intercostal and lumbar nerves in rabbit with the purpose of providing a technique to by-pass a spinal lesion. Before carrying out the surgical experiments, an histological study has been performed on the donor and receiver nerves which demonstrated the great difference in number of nervous fiber between these two nerves. The purpose of the method is thus to reinnerve a lumbar nerve by means of two intercostal nerves. Histological controls are performed on the 120th day.