Repair of partial lesions with nerve grafting methods in the rat tibial nerve.

A partial nerve lesion and associated neuroma can be either left alone or repaired with a graft. A by-pass graft around the undisturbed lesion with end-to-side attachments might be a good alternative. This study in rats examines these strategies using walking-track analysis, muscle weights, and histology.

End-to-side nerve grafting of the tibial nerve to bridge a neuroma-in-continuity.

Standard treatment for a neuroma-in-continuity with partial retained function is neurolysis with or without grafting. The present study tests the outcome of a novel partial nerve lesion bypassed with an end-to-side bridge graft, intended to increase the number of axons crossing the defect while not disturbing intact axons. An 8-mm portion of tibial nerve was resected in 20 rats.

Assessment of recovery following a novel partial nerve lesion in a rat model.

Partial nerve lesions with a varying degree of retained function and often a painful neuroma pose a dilemma for the clinician. Surgical treatment of partial nerve lesion is perilous because of possible damage to intact axons and subsequent loss of retained function. We present a new rat model of a partial nerve lesion, allowing further study to improve treatment for this condition.