Collagen tube repair of the mandibular nerve: a preliminary investigation in the rat.
A technique for repair of the inferior alveolar nerve of the rat involving a collagen tube conduit with laminin gel lining was compared with unguided regeneration in both large and small nerve gaps. No significant morphologic differences were noted between the groups with small defects. With large defects, however, only the tubular repairs were effective in restoring neural continuity. The implications of the results of this study are discussed.
Department of Surgery, St. John's Mercy Medical Center, St. Louis, MO 63141.
B L
BL
Eppley
J J
JJ
Delfino
D000818:Animals; D003094:Collagen; D005782:Gels; D007797:Laminin; D008297:Male; D008340:Mandibular Nerve / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology / Q000601:surgery*; D009416:Nerve Regeneration; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains
D005782:Gels; D007797:Laminin; D003094:Collagen