Sutureless repair of the facial nerve using biodegradable glass fabric.

Objectives/hypothesis: To compare a sutureless method of facial nerve repair using a biodegradable glass fabric with the standard method of microsurgical suture.

Study Design: The facial nerve was transected in groups of six sheep and repaired by either entubulation with a biodegradable glass fabric or standard microsurgical epineurial suture repair.

Methods: Both methods of repair were compared with each other and with a normal control group using electrophysiological and morphometric analysis.