[Degeneration and regeneration of the peripheral nerve].

Abstract

The peripheral nerve's degeneration and regeneration after its injury was described by Waller in 1850. The distal stump and small part of the proximal part of the transected fibre disintegrate. Proliferating Schwann cells create the band of Büngner for the guiding of the regrowing axon. Even if the suture of the nerve is quickly and well performed, the reinervation is never absolute. Regrowing axons can grow into wrong endoneurial tubes or outside the area of the suture and long-lasting denervation leads to progressive atrophy of the target organs. In the future, the neurotrophic factors might improve the outcome of the reinervation.