STUDYING NERVE TRANSFERS: SEARCHING FOR A CONSENSUS IN NERVE AXONS COUNT

Abstract Axonal count is the base for efficient nerve transfer; despite its capital importance, few studies have been published on human material, most research approaches being performed on experimental animal models of nerve injury. Thus, standard analysis methods are still lacking. Quantitative data obtained have to be reproducible and comparable with published data by other research groups. In order to share results with the scientific community, the standardization of quantitative analysis is a fundamental step.For this purpose, the experiences of the Italian, Austrian, German, Greek and Iberian-Latin American groups have been compared with each other and with the existing literature in order to reach a consensus in the fiber count and draw up a protocol that can make the studies coming from now on comparable from different centers. The search for a standardization of the methodology was aimed at reducing all the factors that are associated with an increase in the variability of the results. All the preferential methods to be used have been suggested.On the other hand, alternative methods and different methods have been identified to achieve the same goal, which in our experience are completely comparable, so they can be used indifferently by the different centers according to their experience and availability.