[Histopathological observation of acute facial nerve impairment in rabbits].

OBJECTIVE

To investigate histopathological changes of acute facial nerve impairment.

METHODS

Ligation of facial nerve outside stylomastoid foramen with 3-0 silk, observation of histopathological changes of facial nerve on the 1st day, 3rd day and 5th day after ligation.

RESULTS

The facial nerve showed all kinds and various degrees of histopathological changes, from swelling to degeneration, in myeline and axon respectively.

CONCLUSION

All kinds and various degrees of pathological changes have been observed in myeline and axon after the ligation of facial nerve in rabbits. This study demonstrates that such injuries to the facial nerve become increasingly serious as the ligation lasts day after day.