New One-Stage Nerve Pedicle Grafting Technique Using the Great Auricular Nerve for Reconstruction of Facial Nerve Defects

Isao Koshima; Yazaburo Nanba; Tetsuya Tsutsui; Yoshio Takahashi; Seiko Itoh

doi:10.1055/s-2004-829998

Journal of Reconstructive Microsurgery, Table of Contents

J Reconstr Microsurg 2004; 20(5): 357-361
DOI: 10.1055/s-2004-829998

New One-Stage Nerve Pedicle Grafting Technique Using the Great Auricular Nerve for Reconstruction of Facial Nerve Defects

Isao Koshima¹ , Yazaburo Nanba¹ , Tetsuya Tsutsui¹ , Yoshio Takahashi¹ , Seiko Itoh¹

¹Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine and Dentistry, Okayama University, Okayama, Japan

Abstract

A new one-stage nerve pedicle grafting technique, employing a vascularized great auricular nerve graft, was used to repair a facial nerve defect. The facial nerve of a 39-year-old woman with facial schwannoma was resected, and an island vascularized great auricular nerve graft from the ipsilateral side was transferred to bridge a 4 cm long defect of the buccal branch. Postoperatively, rapid nerve sprouting through the vascularized nerve graft and excellent facial reamination were obtained within 6 months after surgery. This method in one-stage using a vascularized nerve graft is technically easy, requires a short operating time, has minimal donor-site morbidity, and leads to successful nerve regeneration postoperatively.

KEYWORDS

Vascularized nerve graft - one stage - facial nerve repair

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References

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Isao KoshimaM.D.

Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine and Dentistry, Okayama University

2-5-1, Shikata, Okayama City, Okayama, Japan 700-8558