Survey of the results of acute sciatic nerve repair comparing epineural and perineurial techniques in the lower extremities of rat

ObjectiveTo study the result of nerve repair in the two mentioned techniques in rats to find the proper answer to the existing disagreement.MethodsTwenty adult male rats were included in treatment group. Acutely disconnected sciatic nerve was repaired by Epineural technique in half of the rats; in the other half perineurial technique was applied. After 80 d, the number of grown axons of distal on the repair site was calculated through the use of an optical microscope. Additionally by studying the foot print of the rats the return of neural motor activity was evaluated.ResultsIn epineural group, SFI index was: (56.33±32.30) and in perineurial group: (55.71±30.31); P value=0.930 with their being no difference between these two techniques of surgery. However, in comparing epineural and perineurial groups in the groups themselves, statistical tests showed a significant difference showing functional improvement in comparison with the day before surgery P value=0.0001. Statistical tests showed that the average of axons' number distal to anastomosis site in the epineural group was (349±80) and in the perineurial group was (405±174). These groups have no significant difference regarding the number of axons (P value=0.36).ConclusionThe results of epineural and perineurial surgery techniques show no difference in nerve repair, SFI index, or axon counting in distal part.