Progression of the zone of injury in experimental nerve injuries

The extent of injury a nerve sustains after different mechanisms of injury is often difficult to determine at the time of injury. This study was designed to define the zone of injury for avulsed and transected nerves in an experimental animal model. We were able to demonstrate a progressive zone of injury in the avulsed nerves which would preclude primary neurorrhaphy while the zone of injury in a transected nerve tended to decrease during the three week period of observation.