Simultaneous end-to-side coaptations of two severed nerves to a single healthy nerve in rats

Abstract

Object This experimental study was designed to evaluate functional and sensory outcomes and morphological features observed after simultaneous end-to-side coaptations of distal stumps of two nerves to a single neighboring nerve. Studies were performed using both parallel and end-to-side coaptation (PEC) and serial end-to-side coaptation (SEC) methods in a rat model. Methods In the PEC group, distal stumps of the sural and common fibular nerves were coapted to the intact tibial nerve 1 cm apart from each other in an end-to-side fashion. In the SEC group, identical surgical procedures apart from the coaptation method were conducted. For the coaptation method in this group, the distal stump of the common fibular nerve was first coapted to the side of the intact tibial nerve, and then the distal stump of the sural nerve was coapted to the side of the common fibular nerve 1 cm apart from the first coaptation site. Nonoperated contralateral sides were used as controls. Nerve regeneration in both groups was evaluated functionally, electrophysiologically, and histomorphometrically. Conclusions When there is a need for two end-to-side coaptations of two severed nerves, PEC is the recommended method of choice to obtain better axonal regeneration into both nerves.