ABSTRACT
Autologous nerve grafting is the conventional technique for bridging nerve gaps, despite
its various disadvantages. In this study, the authors investigated the effects of
the turnover epineurial sheath tube (TEST) as an alternative to nerve grafting for
the repair of nerve gaps, using a rat sciatic nerve model in four groups: Group 1
(n = 5): sham control; Group 2 (n = 10): segmental nerve resection + no repair; Group
3 (n = 10): segmental nerve resection + nerve grafting; Group 4 (n = 15): segmental
nerve resection + TEST. Functional recovery was evaluated by walking-track analysis.
The sciatic nerves and gastrocnemius muscles were harvested for histologic and quantitative
histomorphometric evaluation at 12 weeks. Sciatic functional indices and histomorphometric
analyses revealed statistically significant differences between the sham control and
the three experimental groups (p < 0.001). The difference between the TEST group and the nerve graft group was not
significant; however functional recovery was significantly improved in these two groups,
compared to the non-repaired group (p < 0.05). The authors suggest that the TEST provides a suitable conduit between two
stumps, eliminates donor-site morbidity, reduces the number of suture sites, fibrosis,
and operating time, and might be an alternative to nerve grafting for nerve gap repair.
