Comparison of nerve graft integration after segmentar resection versus epineurial burying in crushed rat sciatic nerves

RESUMO

The aim of the present paper is to compare and correlate the take of nerve segments in a severely crushed nerve. Forty adult Wistar rats had their right sciatic nerve crushed by a "Péan-Murphy" forceps for 40 minutes. In Group 1 (n=20), a segmentar resection in the crushed sciatic nerve was made. A sural nerve segment from the opposite hindpaw was placed in the gap. In Group 2 (n=20), a longitudinal incision in the epineurium of the lesioned sciatic nerve was made. A sural nerve segment was buried underneath the epineurium. The crushed sciatic nerves undergone Wallerian degeneration and endoneurial fibrosis. Sciatic nerves from Group 2 had significant better histological aspects than those from Group 1. Sural nerve grafts presented better degrees of regeneration than crushed sciatic nerves. Sural nerve grafts from Group 2 (burying method) integrated as well as those from Group 1 (segmentar resection).