[Functional recovery of rat facial-facial anastomosis model].
OBJECTIVE
To observe the recovery process of facial behavior and function in rat, and then to supply reliable functional parameters for the researches in such fields.


METHODS
Rat models of facial nerve paralysis were set up by sectioning and anastomosis of facial nerve. The behavioral change included whisker movement and blink reflex were observed weekly. Electroneurography (ENoG) and blink reflex (BR) were examined dynamically and all data were analyzed by statistic soft ware.


RESULTS
Postoperatively, the whisker movement ceased, blink reflex was lost or sluggish but the fibrillation of vibrissae appeared. Whisker movement and evoke blink reflex were seen 1-2 months following operation gradually, which subsequently increased in intensity and frequency. Mass contraction of the periauricular muscles were observed at the same time as eye closure 2 month following operation. The latency of compound muscle action potential (CMAP) at experimental side began to prolong at 21 day, reached climax at 1 month and was stabilized at 3-4 month postoperatively, but it could not get full recovery. The latencies of 28-63 day were longer than other time points (P<0.05). The amplitude and intensity didn't change characteristically. The R1 can be observed repetitively, which disappeared at 7-14 day and gradually recovered 1 month following operation. At experimental side, the R1-type wave (R1oris) in orbicularis oris could be observed at the same time as R1 recorded 2 month following operation, which indicated the facial synkinesis, one hyperkinetic post-paralytic sequela happened. Then the latency of both R1 and R1oris decreased concomitantly. There were correlations between them, but only the significant difference of R1oris latency presented between 2 month and other time points (P<0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
It is concluded that the methods of ENoG and BR could examine the recovery process of facial movement, which would help studying the pathophysiological mechanism of facial nerve injury and regeneration after being revised.
Chen
Pei
P
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
Bao
Min
M
Yu
Shanchun
S
Gong
Shusheng
S
D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical; D000818:Animals; D001767:Blinking; D005154:Facial Nerve / Q000601:surgery; D020220:Facial Nerve Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D005158:Facial Paralysis / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D020127:Recovery of Function