ISSN:
0942-0940
Keywords:
Keywords: Thermocoagulation; peripheral nerve; selective vulnerability.
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Summary In this study the morphological effects of local heat application by controlled thermocoagulation to the sciatic nerve of rabbits are investigated. It concentrates on the question of a possible selective elimination of nerve fibres depending on their calibers. Temperatures of 50°C, 55°C, 60°C, 70°C and 90°C were applied for 45 seconds. The nerves were examined histolgically after 2–3 minutes, 7 and 12 days and 5 weeks. The light and electronmicrographs show no differential vulnerability of small myelinated or unmyelinated fibres as proposed by Sweet and Wepsic [20]. At a temperature of 50°C no fibre is damaged whereas at 60°C the fibre damage extends over nearly the total cut surface of the nerve. Even at the critical temperature of 55°C affecting only part of the cross-section no predilection of any fibre caliber was observed. In summary thermocoagulation seems not to be able to cause selective fibre damage.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s007010050253
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