Experimental study on the amputation neuroma

Purpose. To report anatomopathological and histological changes that follow some common surgical treatments for painful neuroma prevention. Method. 16 Wistar rats received sciatic nerve section: first group received no treatment; group 2 received bipolar diathermy; group 3 received the terminal-end suture; group 4 received interfascicular suture of proximal stump. After sacrificing the animal at sixth week histological samples received histology staining. Results. 1st group lesions show pathologic finding of neuroma amputation. 2nd group lesions (bipolar diathermy) in all the cases show a large scar formation from the proximal stump to the distal stump. 3rd group sutures show nerve reparation. 4th group interfascicular suture show a small loop at the suture level with a slight growth of the nerve fibers surrounding by the outer sheath (epineurium). Conclusions Macroscopic and histological appearance of the nerve lesions treated with the interfascicular suture (group 4) differs greatly from the untreated lesions (group 1-section of the nerve).