Sutureless repair of the facial nerve using biodegradable glass fabric.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: To compare a sutureless method of facial nerve repair using a biodegradable glass fabric with the standard method of microsurgical suture.

STUDY

DESIGN

The facial nerve was transected in groups of six sheep and repaired by either entubulation with a biodegradable glass fabric or standard microsurgical epineurial suture repair.

METHODS

Both methods of repair were compared with each other and with a normal control group using electrophysiological and morphometric analysis.

RESULTS

Maximum conduction velocity, axon and fiber diameter, and myelin-sheath thickness were all reduced in the repaired nerves when compared with the normal nerves. There was no significant difference among any of the outcome variables between the repair groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Repair of nerve injuries by entubulation has several theoretical advantages over standard suture repair: less trauma to nerve ends, no need for microsurgical skills, and delivery of neurotrophic growth factors. It is concluded that repair of the facial nerve by glass-wrap entubulation offers an alternative to standard suture repair without the demands of microsurgery on both time and surgical expertise.