Electromyographic evaluation of experimental nerve grafts suggests better recovery with microscope assistance

Controversy surrounds the value of optic magnification for peripheral nerve surgery. The aim of this study was to compare the loupe magnification with microscope-assisted techniques in a rat tibial nerve graft model. The parameters studied included motor nerve conduction velocity (MNCV), clinical test equivalent (CTE), soleus muscle weight (SMW) and morphometric nerve indices. In the loupe and microscope groups MNCV mean was 26.77 +/- 9.37 m/sec and 44.19 +/- 11.36 m/sec respectively. MNCV results suggest better regeneration in the microscope group, as confirmed by CTE, SMW and myelinated fibre (MF) diameter.