Mechanism of the inhibition of neuroma formation by autogenous nerve replantation in situ after amputation in rabbits

Two experimental patterns of autogenous nerve replantation in situ and centrocentralnerve suture were performed on the rabbit median and ulnar nerves.The results of light andtransmission electron microscopy as well as immunohistochemistry showed that autogenous nervereplantation in situ could inhibit the formation of neuroma.The mechanism might be that twoproximal stump axons could touch within the interpolated graft segment.Simple end-to-endnerve suture failed to inhibit neuroma development because of a lack of proper environment forthe touching between two proximal stump axons.