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Experimental Study on Facial Nerve Regeneration With or Without Geniculate Ganglionectomy
Zhengmin Wang, MD;
Chunfu Dai, MD, PhD;
Yuhai Zhang, MD
Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2001;127:422-425.
Objective To investigate regeneration of the distal facial nerve following nerve
grafting within the tympanic segment with geniculate ganglion preservation
or dissection.
Design Randomized controlled trial.
Subjects Twenty-three adult New Zealand albino rabbits were used in this study.
Interventions A 2-mm tympanic segment of the facial nerve was removed, and the greater
auricular nerve was harvested for grafting in all animals. In group 1 (10
rabbits), the geniculate ganglion was preserved. In group 2 (13 rabbits),
the geniculate ganglion was dissected. Mastoidal and extratemporal segments
of the facial nerve were harvested 3 months postoperatively for histological
examination by electron microscopy.
Results The number of myelinated axons in normal facial nerves was 1819.6 ±
535.6. In group 1, the number of myelinated axons was 123.6 ± 31.1,
and, compared with normal facial nerves, the diameter of the regenerative
axons was decreased and the sheath thickness in the regenerative fiber was
diminished. In group 2, the number of myelinated axons was 515.1 ±
103.1, while the myelin sheath thickness was proportionate to axon diameter.
(Data are given as mean ± SD.)
Conclusion Geniculate ganglionectomy may improve motor axon regeneration.
From the Department of Otolaryngology, Eye, Ear, Nose, and Throat Hospital,
Shanghai Medical University, People's Republic of China.
Corresponding author and reprints: Chunfu Dai, MD, PhD, Department
of Otolaryngology, Eye, Ear, Nose, and Throat Hospital, Shanghai Medical University,
Shanghai 200031, People's Republic of China (e-mail: daichf{at}online.sh.cn).
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