Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 9, 2025
Facial Nerve Surgery in the Rat Model to Study Axonal Inhibition and Regeneration
Published on: May 5, 2020
Safe distance from facial nerve for bipolar coagulation in parotid surgery-Animal study
Petar Stanković1, Michael Bette2, Robert Mandić3
1Department of Otolaryngology, Head/Neck and Facial Plastic Surgery, Sana Kliniken Leipziger Land, Borna, Germany.
Objective:
Currently no data exist on what distance from facial nerve (FN) it is safe to perform bipolar cautery (BC) in parotid surgery, although frequently performed.
Methods:
The degree of damage was measured using continuous intraoperative neuromonitoring (cIONM, NIM™ 3, Medtronic) in 16 Wistar rats. Amplitude drop of at least 50% (A50) or a loss of signal (LOS) in the cIONM was defined as harmful; BC was performed in power range 20-60 W.
Results:
BC ≤30 W did not cause LOS (0/14 nerves). When applying 35 W, A50 occurred at 4 mm from FN and LOS was noted in 1 of 5 nerves. BC at a power of 40 to 60 W demonstrated LOS in all nerves (12/12) at a 5 mm distance.
Conclusion:
BC up to 30 W can be safely applied up to 3 mm distance from FN. 40 to 60 W should be avoided and used only at a distance of over 6 mm from FN.
Level Of Evidence:
NA/animal study. Laryngoscope, 135:1120-1126, 2025.
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