Predegenerated great auricular nerve graft in facial nerve defects.

Objective: To compare axonal regeneration in an animal model after the repair of facial nerve defects with pre-degenerated (PD) and non-PD (NPD) great auricular nerve grafts.

Materials And Methods: The buccal branch of the facial nerve was completely sectioned in 18 New Zealand rabbits, which were randomized to 3 treatment groups: PD great auricular nerve graft repair (PD group), NPD great auricular nerve graft repair (NPD group), and immediate end-to-end repair (control group). Axonal regeneration was examined using optical microscopy to assess the following variables: total number of myelinated axons and regenerating sprouts (MARS) that crossed the distal anastomosis, numbers of intra and extrafascicular MARS, and area of myelinated axons.