[Experimental studies in animals of the regeneration of peripheral nerves]

In bridging nerve gaps and studying the process of nerve regeneration the method of "tubulation" becomes of new worldwide importance during the last years. In this technique the both stumps are introduced in a preformed tube without tension, the further healing process is left to the neuron's potency for self-repair. Although until now the experimental results confirm the possibility of this management it is often impossible to compare the findings because of the insufficient quantitative analyses. In this paper the own results of bridging a 4-6 mm defect in rat sciatic nerves with a connective tissue-teflon-tube are presented including an extensive quantitative analysis with methods of computer-based multivariate data analysis. The theoretic advantages of this technique are discussed in relation to the autologous interfascicular nerve transplantation.