Effect of perineurial window size on nerve regeneration, blood-nerve barrier integrity, and functional recovery.

End-to-side neurorrhaphy is used clinically to reconstruct nerve injuries when the lack of a suitable proximal nerve stump precludes conventional approaches to microsurgical repair. In end-to-side neurorrhaphy, the distal stump of a transected nerve is sutured to the side of an intact nerve that serves as an axon donor. Prior studies suggest that this perineurial window is a prerequisite for effective nerve regeneration into the recipient nerve. However, the optimal size for this perineurial window remains uncertain. This study evaluated the effect of perineurial window size on collateral axonal sprouting, blood-nerve barrier architecture, and functional impairment of the donor nerve. One hundred twenty Lewis rats were randomized to 1 and 5 mm perineurial window groups and examined at serial time points. The 5 mm perineurial window group exhibited significantly greater fiber counts at the repair zone than the 1mm group within 4 weeks (p < 0.005). Marked breakdown of the blood-nerve barrier was present 2 week postoperatively and resolved by 4 weeks regardless of 1 versus 5 mm perineurial window size. Tibial function indices in both groups normalized between 4 and 6 weeks postoperatively. A large (5 mm) perineurial window induced greater collateral sprouting or regenerative response than a small (1 mm) perineurial window without increasing cross sectional nerve injury or delaying functional recovery.