Abstract
In order to prove the age differences regarding peripheral nerve regeneration, observations were made at certain interval of 5 days, 1, 3, 5, 7, 10, 12, 15, and 20 weeks on the state of regeneration following the suture of amputated tibial nerves in mature (A) and immature (B) groups of rabbits.
The resulte were as follows.
1. On macroscopic, examination, there were found marked muscule atrophy of the lower extremity and decubital ulcerus at Calcaneus on the operated side in A group, but they were slight or more in B group.
2. Neuroma formation at suture area was more remarkable in B group than A group and maximus cross sectional area of neuroma indicated 3.75 times in A group and 6.21 times in B group compered with control nerves.
3. Cross section dimension was great in order size at suture area, central area at peripheral 10 mm and 20 mm.
4. A group were far inferior to B group about the increasing index of number of nerve fibers after nerve suture. Increasing index at sutured peripheral nerves after 12-15 weeks indicated 63.9-77.2% in A group and 77.5-81.4% in B group.
5. By histogram, B group was superior to A group about the number of nerve fibers over 8.0μ in diameter, They indicated 9.3% in A group and 18.2% in B group on 20 weeks after suture.
6. On histologic examination, B group showed remarkable increase of number the small regenerated fibers and nerve fibers in one Schwan's tube, and also early recovery of deformity and deviation, disappearance of vacuoles and myelination of nerve cells.
7. On thle electrophysiological study, B group were superior to A group about the recoverey of the action potential and conductions rate.
