title: Lingual Nerve Microsurgery Outcomes Using 2 Different Conduits: A Retrospective Cohort Study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study compared a type 1 collagen conduit (NeuraGen) with a porcine small intestinal submucosa conduit (AxoGuard) when used in lingual nerve microsurgery and any differences in achieving functional sensory recovery (FSR).
  
  
  METHODS
  All patients who underwent lingual nerve microsurgery performed by 1 surgeon (V.B.Z.) from 2007 to 2014 had their surgical information obtained by a retrospective review of hospital records and office charts after institutional review board approval. Those patients whose surgery included the use of a nerve conduit were included in the study. Subjective neurosensory recovery was determined by neurosensory testing, including responses to hot, cold, wisp, brush, and pinprick. Objective recovery was determined by testing 2-point discrimination and fine touch threshold with von Frey fibers. The objective findings were correlated to a Medical Research Council System score, with grades S3, S3+, and S4 indicating FSR.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The conduits were compared using a Student t test with a 2-tailed hypothesis. The von Frey fiber test had a preoperative mean of 6.29 (standard deviation [SD], 0.95), which improved to 3.97 (SD, 0.67) for the NeuraGen and 4.17 (SD, 0.56) for the AxoGuard. Two-point discrimination improved from a mean higher than 19.42 to 9.32 mm (SD, 2.96 mm) for the NeuraGen and 9.67 mm (SD, 2.13 mm) for the AxoGuard. The mean FSR was S3+.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There were no meaningful differences in outcomes between the 2 conduits studied, and all patients achieved FSR according to the Medical Research Council Scale.
authors.affiliation: Resident, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Rutgers School of Dental Medicine, Newark, NJ.
authors.forename: Matthew T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.affiliation: Private Practice, Brockton, MA.
authors.forename: Sung-Kiang
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Chuang
authors.affiliation: Professor, Chair, and Residency Director, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery; Chief of Service, University Hospital; Assistant Dean of Hospital Affairs, Rutgers School of Dental Medicine, Newark, NJ. Electronic address: ziccarvb@sdm.rutgers.edu.
authors.forename: Vincent B
authors.initials: VB
authors.lastname: Ziccardi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D024042:Collagen Type I / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa; D061222:Lingual Nerve Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation*; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012684:Sensory Thresholds / Q000502:physiology; D013552:Swine
chemical_list: D024042:Collagen Type I