title: Facial muscle reanimation using the trigeminal motor nerve: an experimental study in the rabbit.
abstract: Surgical repair of facial nerve deficits may be marred by lack of muscle control and donor region paresis. Using New Zealand white rabbits, a study was undertaken to evaluate facial muscle reanimation with a donor source not previously used: the motor division of the trigeminal nerve. The results were compared with the severed facial nerve and hypoglossal-facial coaptation. An atrophy scale was calibrated for facial muscles of the rabbit. Clinical, electromyographic, and histomorphometric findings confirmed that the trigeminal nerve was a suitable donor source. The neurorrhaphy produced an exponential rate of repair.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Illinois, College of Dentistry, Chicago 60612.
authors.forename: W L
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: Frydman
authors.forename: L B
authors.initials: LB
authors.lastname: Heffez
authors.forename: S L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Jordan
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jacob
mesh_terms: D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical; D000818:Animals; D004576:Electromyography; D005154:Facial Nerve / Q000502:physiology / Q000601:surgery*; D005158:Facial Paralysis / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D007002:Hypoglossal Nerve / Q000502:physiology / Q000601:surgery*; D009046:Motor Neurons; D009416:Nerve Regeneration; D011817:Rabbits; D014276:Trigeminal Nerve / Q000502:physiology / Q000601:surgery*