Abstract
Summary
Opposing the growth of nerve fibers by encasing the proximal stump of a severed peripheral nerve in a rigid tube will prevent the formation of an end-bulb neuroma. The injection of the nerve with tannic acid or gentian violet likewise inhibits neuroma formation. The mechanisms probably are not identical. In addition to exerting lateral pressure and limiting the blood supply, tannic acid and gentian violet exert chemical inhibition to the growth of the nerve for a varying period following the injection which further favors the encasement of the resting nerve fibers by a connective tissue envelope.
This method of preventing the formation of end-bulb neuromata may aid in solving the problem of painful amputation stumps and the phenomenon of the phantom limb. No contraindications to injecting the nerve ends in amputation stumps have been observed.
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