The embracing end-to-side neurorrhaphy in rats

purpose: compare two new methods with the traditional end-to-side neurorrhaphy. methods: rats were divided into four groups. in a-l group the peroneal nerve was sectioned and the distal stump was connected to the lateral of the tibial nerve (donor) with two 10-0 nylon points. in a-r group two perineurium flaps embraced the donor nerve. in the b-r group a suture embraced the donor nerve. group b-l was the control. after six months tibial cranial muscle mass and morphometry of the distal stump of the peroneal nerve were evaluated. results: muscle mass in groups a-r, a-l and b-r were lower than b-l group (p<0.0001) an equal between themselves (p>0.05). groups a-r, b-r and a-l had a lower number of nerve fibers when compared with b-l (p=0.0155, p=0.016, p=0.0021). conclusion: the three types of neurorrhaphy showed no differences related to muscle mass and number of nerve fibers suggesting that the embracing with a single suture has great potential due its simplicity and usefulness in deep areas.