Facial nerve graft repair: suture versus laser-assisted anastomosis.
An experimental study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of laser-assisted versus conventional suture repair of facial nerve grafts in the rabbit. Electrophysiologic assessment of function revealed no significant difference between the two techniques. Histological differences were apparent, however, early postoperatively from the effects of heat energy on the perimeter of fascicular morphology. At a later stage, this effect had disappeared. The laser technique was also associated with an apparent decreased escape and entrapment of axons.
Eppley
B L
BL
St. John's Mercy Medical Center, Division of Oral-Maxillofacial Surgery, St. Louis, Missouri 63141.
Kalenderian
E
E
Winkelmann
T
T
Delfino
J J
JJ
D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical / Q000379:methods*; D000818:Animals; D004564:Electrocoagulation; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005154:Facial Nerve / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology / Q000601:surgery*; D053685:Laser Therapy; D008297:Male; D008866:Microsurgery / Q000379:methods; D009412:Nerve Fibers / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009416:Nerve Regeneration; D009431:Neural Conduction; D011817:Rabbits; D013537:Sutures