Delayed (degenerate) interfascicular nerve grafting: a new concept in peripheral nerve repair.

Interfascicular nerve grafts allowed to undergo endoneurial tube emptying in situ before transfer have been compared with grafts transferred fresh in terms of structure and function. The sciatic nerve of the rat was the model and its structure and ultrastructure were superior following degenerate grafting. More importantly, electrophysiological studies showed that function in nerves repaired with degenerate grafts was significantly better than in those repaired with fresh grafts.