[Morphological studies of gunshot wounds of the peripheral nerves in rabbits]

The author reports the results of morphological investigations in 48 experimental shot wounds of the peripheral nerves of rabbits. In 8 animals the missile hit directly the ischiadic nerve disrupting its continuity (neurotmesis). The microscopic picture of not discupted nerves differed from one animal to another. Three types of microscopic findings were distinguished: 1) normal microscopic appearance, 2) Wallerian degeneration, 3) axonal regeneration. Normal appearance of nervous fibres was observed in all three groups of animals studied at different time intervals after injury (8-10, 18 and 56 days after injury). In the first and second groups Wallerian degeneration prevailed, while axonal regeneration was a typical finding in groups II and III. Microscopic changes in the nerves were very similar to those observed in peripheral nerves subjected to traction injury. It may be assumed that the cause of shot injury was sudden stretching of the nerve trunk in the pulsating shot channel.