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Int Arch Otorhinolaryngol 2014; 18(03): 277-282
DOI: 10.1055/s-0034-1366977
Original Research
Thieme Publicações Ltda Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Mandibular Branch of the Facial Nerve in Wistar Rats: New Experimental Model to Assess Facial Nerve Regeneration

Ricardo Ferreira Bento
1   Department of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
,
Raquel Salomone
1   Department of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
,
Silvia Bona do Nascimento
2   Department of Orthopedics and Trauma, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
,
Ricardo Jose Rodriguez Ferreira
2   Department of Orthopedics and Trauma, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
,
Ciro Ferreira da Silva
3   Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
,
Heloisa Juliana Zabeu Rossi Costa
1   Department of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

18 November 2013

11 December 2013

Publication Date:
23 May 2014 (online)

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Abstract

Introduction The ideal animal model for nerve regeneration studies is the object of controversy, because all models described by the literature have advantages and disadvantages.

Objective To describe the histologic and functional patterns of the mandibular branch of the facial nerve of Wistar rats to create a new experimental model of facial nerve regeneration.

Methods Forty-two male rats were submitted to a nerve conduction test of the mandibular branch to obtain the compound muscle action potential. Twelve of these rats had the mandibular branch surgically removed and submitted to histologic analysis (number, partial density, and axonal diameter) of the proximal and distal segments.

Results There was no statistically significant difference in the functional and histologic variables studied.

Conclusion These new histologic and functional standards of the mandibular branch of the facial nerve of rats establish an objective, easy, and greatly reproducible model for future facial nerve regeneration studies.

Keywords

facial nerve - electromyography - nerve regeneration - histologic analysis
 

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