End-to-side neurorrhaphy: a histologic and morphometric study of axonal sprouting into an end-to-side nerve graft.

This study investigated axonal regeneration in a denervated nerve graft sutured end-to-side with a main peripheral nerve trunk. To demonstrate morphologic changes, the peroneal nerve was severed in a rat and coapted end-to-side to the posterior tibial nerve. The integrity of the epineurial and perineurial sheath was altered in four different groups. Histologic evaluation 30 days after operation showed axonal regeneration in the nerve graft in all groups. Morphometric analysis of cross sections of the grafted nerve elucidated the importance of severance of the perineurium in end-to-side neurorrhaphy.