Biomaterial Database

Facial nerve sutures: epineural vs. perineural sutures. 1981

M Rouleau, and J Crepeau, and L Tetreault, and J Lamarche

The orbicularis oculi branch of the facial nerve was transected in two groups of 15 cats. Following section of the nerve, a specimen was removed for histological studies; then, using microscopic techniques the epineurium was sutured (nylon 10:0) in the first group, and the perineurium in the second. They were then followed for 100 days. Results rely on clinical (complete closure of the eye), electrophysiological (summation potentials), and histological (fiber count) evaluations. Judging from the relative density and diameters of the fibers, epineural sutures result in better regeneration than perineural sutures. With the tremendous importance of the absence of tension on the suture line in mind, it seems that the technique of choice for monofascicular nerves, as in the pyramidal and tympanic segments of the facial nerve, is epineural suture. Despite the slight advantage of epineural suture over perineural suture as evidenced by histological evaluation, there was no clinical difference. The distal fascicular distribution of facial nerve fibers and their spatial distribution make perineural (fascicular) sutures the method of choice when anastomosis becomes necessary in the vertical portion and in the portion distal to the stylomastoid foramen.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D002415	Cats	The domestic cat, Felis catus, of the carnivore family FELIDAE, comprising over 30 different breeds. The domestic cat is descended primarily from the wild cat of Africa and extreme southwestern Asia. Though probably present in towns in Palestine as long ago as 7000 years, actual domestication occurred in Egypt about 4000 years ago. (From Walker's Mammals of the World, 6th ed, p801)	Felis catus,Felis domesticus,Domestic Cats,Felis domestica,Felis sylvestris catus,Cat,Cat, Domestic,Cats, Domestic,Domestic Cat
D004594	Electrophysiology	The study of the generation and behavior of electrical charges in living organisms particularly the nervous system and the effects of electricity on living organisms.
D005154	Facial Nerve	The 7th cranial nerve. The facial nerve has two parts, the larger motor root which may be called the facial nerve proper, and the smaller intermediate or sensory root. Together they provide efferent innervation to the muscles of facial expression and to the lacrimal and SALIVARY GLANDS, and convey afferent information for TASTE from the anterior two-thirds of the TONGUE and for TOUCH from the EXTERNAL EAR.	Cranial Nerve VII,Marginal Mandibular Branch,Marginal Mandibular Nerve,Seventh Cranial Nerve,Nerve VII,Nerve of Wrisberg,Nervus Facialis,Nervus Intermedius,Nervus Intermedius of Wrisberg,Cranial Nerve VIIs,Cranial Nerve, Seventh,Facial Nerves,Mandibular Nerve, Marginal,Mandibular Nerves, Marginal,Marginal Mandibular Nerves,Nerve VIIs,Nerve, Facial,Nerve, Marginal Mandibular,Nerve, Seventh Cranial,Nerves, Marginal Mandibular,Nervus Faciali,Seventh Cranial Nerves,Wrisberg Nerve,Wrisberg Nervus Intermedius
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D013536	Suture Techniques	Techniques for securing together the edges of a wound, with loops of thread or similar materials (SUTURES).	Suture Technics,Suture Technic,Suture Technique,Technic, Suture,Technics, Suture,Technique, Suture,Techniques, Suture