Abstract
Facial nerve paralysis due to resection of tumors or as a consequence of trauma is a frequently observed complication. Thus, in the present study, we evaluated a collagen nerve guide in facial nerve regeneration across a 5-mm nerve gap. This biological tube was manufactured from 3% collagen, coated over a Teflon tube used only as a template and submitted to thermal dehydration at 105°C for 24h. The collagen tube was implanted at the dorsal ramous of the facial nerve of five adult cats over a gap of 5mm. The facial nerve of the contralateral side was kept intact and used as control. Electrophysiological study was performed from 3 weeks after surgery, and histological and horseradish peroxidase labeling examination was carried out 8 weeks after implantation. Electrophysiological study confirmed the recovery of electrical activity of the collagenimplanted regenerated nerve. Light-microscopic examination of collagen tube-implanted specimens revealed a well vascularized regenerated nerve, which under an electron microscope showed many myelinated axons surrounded by Schwann cells and unmyelinated axons. Horseradish peroxidase staining demonstrated labeling of facial motoneurons in the brainstem and facial nerve terminals in the neuromuscular junction, also confirming restoration of the whole facial nerve tract from the reinnervated muscles, passing through the regenerated site to the brainstem. The collagen tube was very efficient as a nerve guide over a 5mm facial nerve gap and shows great promise as a nerve conduit.
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Kitahara, A.K., Suzuki, Y., Nishimura, Y. et al. Evaluation of collagen nerve guide in facial nerve regeneration. J Artif Organs 1, 22–27 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01340448
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01340448