Morphofunctional Effect of Stem Cells on the Regeneration of the Facial Nerve in a Rat Model.

Purpose: The aim of the present study was to determine the clinical, histologic, and histomorphometric influence of stem cells on the regeneration of facial nerves in rats submitted to neurotmesis with 5-mm defects.

Materials And Methods: Thirty-six male Wistar rats were submitted to neurotmesis. In group 1 (n = 18), the 2 extremities of the nerve trunk were sutured in a polyethylene tube containing a protein matrix (Matrigel; Invitrogen, BD Biosciences, Franklin Lakes, NJ).