title: Nerve regeneration techniques respecting the special characteristics of the inferior alveolar nerve.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to examine the in situ regeneration of the inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) in its bony channel, using autologous tissue in combination with a recombinant human nerve growth factor (rhNGF).
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 20 New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into five groups. Following dissection of the IAN, the animals underwent reconstruction either with muscle tissue (groups 1 and 2) or with fat tissue (groups 3 and 4). In group 5 (control), the dissected nerve was resected and reconstructed by placement of the reversed autologous segment. After 2 and 4 weeks, 1 mL rhNGF was locally injected in groups 1 and 3. Nerve function was monitored by measuring the jaw-opening reflex using electromyography for a period of 24 weeks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Regeneration of the nerve was achieved in all groups, but preoperative threshold values were not achieved. Comparing the experimental groups to the control, there was a significant difference in favor of the autologous nerve reconstruction. Differences between the experimental groups remained statistically not significant.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Regeneration of the IAN with autologous tissue is possible, but without achieving preoperative thresholds. Additional injection of a growth factor seems to improve the speed of regeneration for fat and muscle grafts.
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Dentistry, Periodontology and Cariology, University of Göttingen, Robert-Koch-Str. 40, 37075 Göttingen, Germany. Electronic address: ansgar.hergt@med.uni-goettingen.de.
authors.forename: Ansgar C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Hergt
authors.affiliation: Medical University Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Martinistraße 52, Campus Forschung, 20246 Hamburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Benedicta E
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Beck-Broichsitter
authors.affiliation: Deparment of Neurology, Schleswig-Holstein University Hospital, Arnold-Heller- Straße 3, Haus 41, 24105 Kiel, Germany.
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Raethjen
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Schleswig-Holstein University Hospital, Arnold-Heller-Straße 3, Haus 26, 24105 Kiel, Germany.
authors.forename: Nathalie
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Käser
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Dentistry, Periodontology and Cariology, University of Göttingen, Robert-Koch-Str. 40, 37075 Göttingen, Germany.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hülsmann
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Schleswig-Holstein University Hospital, Arnold-Heller-Straße 3, Haus 26, 24105 Kiel, Germany.
authors.forename: Jörg
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wiltfang
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Schleswig-Holstein University Hospital, Arnold-Heller-Straße 3, Haus 26, 24105 Kiel, Germany.
authors.forename: Jörg
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Heine
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Schleswig-Holstein University Hospital, Arnold-Heller-Straße 3, Haus 26, 24105 Kiel, Germany.
authors.forename: Stephan T
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Becker
mesh_terms: D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000637:transplantation; D000818:Animals; D004576:Electromyography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008340:Mandibular Nerve / Q000601:surgery*; D023421:Models, Animal; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000637:transplantation; D020932:Nerve Growth Factor / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009416:Nerve Regeneration / Q000502:physiology*; D011817:Rabbits; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous
chemical_list: D020932:Nerve Growth Factor
keywords: IAN; Inferior alveolar nerve; JOR; Nerve dissection; Nerve regeneration; Reconstruction