Table 1.

Experimental design.

	Autologous nerve transplant ANT	3D-chitosan core in epineurial sheaths CES	Composite graft (chitosan core in PCL shell) COM
Histological and material assessment	n = 2, week 2	n = 2, week 2	n = 2, week 2
	n = 2, week 13	n = 2, week 13	n = 2, week 13
Functional evaluation
Static sciatic index, weekly	n = 8-4	n = 8-6	n = 8-3
Pinch test, weekly	n = 5	n = 4	n = 3
Electrophysiology	n = 7	n = 7	n = 6-4
Muscle weight ratio	n = 7	n = 7	n = 8
Nerve morphometry
Nerve fiber assessment	n = 7	n = 7	n = 8-6
Myelin thickness and g-ratio	n = 4	n = 4	n = 4

Summary of the experimental design and illustration of the animal/specimen number (n) subjected to each evaluation. Varying animal numbers displayed for the evaluation of the Static Sciatic Index and the electrophysiological measurements are due to hamstrung toe contractures, signs of automutilation, and death of two animals during the course of the experiment.