[Experimental study of using chitosan nerve conduit combined with PRP to repair facial nerve defect]

Objective:The purpose of this study was to produce chitosan nerve conduit in order to investigate the feasibility of chitosan nerve conduit combined with autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) for repairing facial nerve defects.Method:Forty New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into four groups (n=10 in each group).Establishment of the facial nerve defect model of the upper buccal branches was placed in the nerve regeneration catheter and injected with the same amount of PRP and saline. The PRP was injected into the chitosan nerve conduit as group A. The physiological saline was injected into the chitosan nerve conduit as group B. The physiological saline was injected into the silicone tube as group C. The PRP was injected into the silicone tube as group D. Eight weeks later,facial nerve gross observation,facial nerve electrophysiological tests,histological observation,image analysis,valuation of nerve regeneration recovery were detected.Result:Five patients were lost to follow up (all five in the modified Semont group),and three patients failed to complete treatment (all three in the Epley group). The sequelae at the 3rd day and one week after modified Semont maneuver were 27 and 9,while 41 and 15 in Epley group. The efficacy rates at the 3rd day and one week after modified Semont maneuver were 91.7% and 98.3%,and 91.9% and 96.8% in Epley group retrospectively. The sequelae and short-term effective rate of patients in modified Semont group was no difference when compared with that in Epley group (P>0.05).Conclusion:The chitosan nerve conduit combined with PRP has a certain effect on the repair of facial nerve defects and is expected to be applied to the repair of clinical facial nerve defects.