Functional regeneration of C-fibres inside a silicone tube after sciatic neurotomy in rats.

Peripheral nerve lesions are often complicated by difficulties in approximating the nerve stumps without tension. The aim of the present study was to evaluate C-fibre function after nerve regeneration in rats in which the nerve had been lengthened by leaving a 5 mm gap inside a silicone tube (n = 5). The outcome was compared with nerve regeneration after epineural end-to-end suture (n = 5). The innervated skin territory was defined by Evans blue extravasation after antidromic nerve stimulation. Five rats acted as controls. After three months, there was similar functional reinnervation in both experimental groups, which indicates that silicone tubes may reduce tension over a nerve repair with no adverse effects.