The effects of streptomycin on autotomy.

Thirty-six rats with sciatic nerve transections and autotomy scores 1-2 were divided into 3 groups. Two groups were re-operated and injected with streptomycin sulphate or saline into the polyethylene tube around the neuroma. In the third group, streptomycin was injected at the sciatic nerve, extraneurally, proximal to the tube. Streptomycin injected into the polyethylene tube suppressed autotomy scores during the entire postinjection period. At the eighth postinjection week, none of the rats from this group reached the maximal autotomy score.