The effect of tissue expansion on peripheral nerves.

The effect of tissue expansion on peripheral nerves was studied in 214 rats. Slow expansion (over 15 days) is better tolerated than rapid expansion (over 3 days). The resulting increase in length of the nerve is proportional to the degree of expansion. All the nerves which underwent expansion showed a decrease in conduction velocity and this reduction was greater for nerves which were elongated by 50% or more.