Rate of regeneration of sensory axons in transected rat sciatic nerve repaired with epineurial sutures.

Rat sciatic nerves were cut and the ends were rejoined using epineurial sutures. The most rapidly regenerating sensory axons, as measured by the pinch test, grew at a rate of 3.2 +/- 0.2 (SE) mm/day after a delay of 4.0 +/- 0.3 (SE) days. Regenerating axons began to grow beyond the site of injury about 2 days later in sutured nerves than in crushed nerves; this difference provides an estimate of the scar delay in sutured nerves. The rate of axonal outgrowth was slower in sutured nerves than in crushed nerves throughout the distal stump.