[Oculomotor nerve anastomosis: an experimental study in the dog]

For the purpose of investigating the ability of posttraumatic oculomotor nerve to restore its function, animal experiments were carried out using 22 mongrel adult dogs weighting 6.5 kg on the average. Anesthesia was induced with 30 mg/kg of intervenous Nembutal, and craniectomy performed. An injury was delivered to the oculomotor nerve at about 2 mm centrally from the rim of the tentorium which was reached by retracting the temporal lobe under the oprating microscope, then the wound was closed. The animals were devided into three groups according to the severity of trauma; the first group of 5 dogs received complete neurotomy, the second group of 11 dogs had their nerve severed with about 10% left at its medical lower part and secured by one-stitch using 9-0 suture, and the third group of 5 dogs were subjected to cut of less than half of the upper, lower, or lateral part of the nerve. Observations with time were made of eye movement, light reflex and others for up to 2 years and 6 months, one year, and 2 years and 5 months in the three groups respectively. After conducting the caloric nystagmus test by introducting cold water (20 degrees C) into the external auditory meatus, the site of surgery was dissected for histological examination employing Holmes' stain.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)