This Article  • References  • Full text PDF  • Reply to article  • Send to a friend  • Save in My Folder  • Save to citation manager  • Permissions  Citing Articles  • Citation map  • Citing articles on HighWire  • Contact me when this article is cited  Related Content  • Similar articles in this journal  Social Bookmarking   What's this?

An Analysis of Different Sheathing and Suturing Techniques

LCDR Gregory J. Szal, MC, USNR; CAPT Tom Miller, MC, USN

Arch Otolaryngol. 1975;101(3):160-165.

Abstract
The distal branches of the facial nerve are sometimes severed in various forms of trauma. These distal branches respond to repair differently than do the main trunk or other peripheral nerves. Actual axon counts must be done to determine the percentage of regrowth rather than measuring nerve diameter.

Physiologic and histologic techniques were used to analyze sheathing and suturing techniques in the repair of facial nerve branches in rabbits. Repair sites were examined at various intervals up to four months after repair. Very small suture material (10-0) must be used. Vein sheaths and silicone elastomer (Silastic) sheaths caused decreased axon regrowth, and strictures occurred when silicone elastomer sheaths were used. Seven stitches provided the best results in terms of axon regrowth, prevention of neuromas, and return of function. Three sutures or a continuous stitch produced poorer overall results.

Author Affiliations
From the Department of Otolaryngology and Maxillofacial Surgery, Naval Regional Medical Center, Oakland, Calif.

Footnotes
Accepted for publication Aug 12, 1974.

Read before the Tenth Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Inc., Palm Beach, Fla, April 22, 1974.

The opinions and assertions herein are those of the authors and are not to be construed as official or as reflecting the views of the Navy Department or the Naval Service at large.

Reprint requests to the Department of Otolaryngology and Maxillofacial Surgery, Naval Regional Medical Center, Oakland, CA 94627 (LCDR Szal).

CiteULike    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    Twitter     What's this?

THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES

Current Issues in Nerve Repair
Terris and Fee
Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 1993;119:725-731.
ABSTRACT  

Interfascicular Nerve Repair: Is it Applicable in Facial Nerve Injuries?
Crumley
Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 1980;106:313-316.
ABSTRACT  

A New Pattern of Needle for Microsurgical Repair of Nerves
BENTALL and RAJI
J Hand Surg Eur Vol 1979;Original Series, Volume 11:306-308.
ABSTRACT  

Facial Nerve Repair With Tissue Adhesive
Siedentop and Loewy
Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 1979;105:423-426.
ABSTRACT