China Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery ›› 2014, Vol. 12 ›› Issue (1): 20-24.

• Basic Research Articles • Previous Articles     Next Articles

A model of vascularized nerve graft for facial nerve repair in rabbit

ZHU Yun1, LIU Sheng-wen1, LI Guang-hui1, TIAN Zhen2, ZHANG Chen-ping1, YANG Wen-jun1   

  1. Department of Oromaxillofacial Head and Neck Oncology, 2.Department of Oral Pathology, Ninth People’s Hospital, College of Stomatology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Stomatology. Shanghai 200011, China
  • Received:2013-04-03 Revised:2013-04-22 Online:2014-02-10 Published:2014-02-10
  • Supported by:
    Supported by Innovation Program of Shanghai Municipal Education Commission (14ZZ104) and Innovation Experimental Program for Medical Students of Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine (2012054).

Abstract: PURPOSE: To develop a new vascularized nerve graft model for facial nerve repair. METHODS: Fifteen New Zealand white rabbits were used in this study. The great auricular nerve of ear was designed as a vascularized graft to serve as a model. VNG group (n=6) received vascularized facial nerve graft, FNG group (n=6) received free nerve graft, control group (n=3) were blank rabbits. The results were evaluated with analysis of facial performance, histological and immunohistochemical studies and electrophysiological monitoring. SPSS 13.0 software package was used for data analysis. RESULTS: At 4-month following facial nerve repair, facial nerve function recovery was observed and analyzed, VNG group was better than FNG group. Through the 20mm facial nerve graft, regenerated nerve fibers were seen, good vascularation facilitated more axons regeneration. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates a new feasibility of vascularized nerve graft in a rabbit model. It has obvious operability and reliability compared with the other models, and the model is useful for future investigation in facial nerve repair.

Key words: Vascularized nerve graft, Facial nerve, Axon regeneration

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