Use of an intact sensory nerve to bridge a motor nerve defect: An experimental study

Abstract

Object. End-to-side neurorrhaphy has recently became popular for peripheral nerve repair. Although this method is mainly indicated in nerve defects in which there is an absent proximal nerve stump, bridging a motor nerve defect by coapting the proximal and distal ends of the defect to a neighboring mixed nerve in an end-to-side fashion has been another experimental use of this method. In this situation, however, the source of the regenerating axons is unclear because the axons in both the proximal end of the defect and the bridging intact nerve have the capacity for regeneration. The goal of this study was to identify the source of the regenerating axons. Methods. In this experimental study, the authors used a sensory nerve to bridge a motor nerve defect so that they could elucidate the source of the regenerating motor axons in the distal part of the motor nerve. One advantage of using a sensory nerve was that it eradicated the fisk of damaging another motor nerve. Tests used in the analysis included gait evaluation, electrophysiological tests, and histological assessment. Conclusions. Results of this study showed that, in the rat model, a sensory nerve can be used to bridge a motor nerve defect, thereby eliminating the need for nerve grafting.