[Stimulating effect of isolated nerve segments on the regeneration of peripheral nerves]

The present paper concerns observations in two series of experiments in which the effect of isolated nerve segments on nerve regeneration was studied. Bridging of a nerve defect with a tube was used as an experimental model--a model often used in studies on nerve regeneration today. In the first series of experiments performed on rats, 14 mm of the femoral nerve were removed and the gap bridged with the femoral vein. A 2-mm nerve segment was inserted at the center of the vein in one group of the animals. In the second experimental series performed on rabbits, 40-45 mm of the peroneal nerve was resected. Up to three segments were introduced into the lumen of the bridging vein. The experiments demonstrated the promoting effect of nerve segments on nerve regeneration and indicated the probable mode of their action: the nerve segments serve as an additional source of Schwann cells and of neurofibroblasts, contributing substantially to the formation of the guiding structures for the axons. The nerve segments are apparently able to develop a similar nerve structure to that formed by the distal nerve stump. However, this ability also appears to be limited to a distance of 10 mm as is the case with distal nerve stumps. These conclusions do not exclude a possible neurotropic action of the nerve segments.