Anastomosis of the Intratemporal Facial Nerve Using Fibrin Tissue Adhesive

Abstract

This work aimed at studying the results obtained by the repair of complete lesions of the facial nerve in its intratemporal portions. Clinical, electrophysiological and surgical techniques were studied. Twenty-three patients with traumatic facial nerve lesions were operated. Nerve grafts were made in 10, and end-to-end anastomosis in thirteen. The surgical technique performed was the coaptation of the stumps and stabilization with fibrin tissue adhesive. Sixteen months after surgery, a clinical and electrophysiological evaluation was made. The use of fibrin tissue adhesive to stabilize intratemporal anastomosis of facial nerve showed clinical and electrophysiological evidence of axonal growth and reinnervation of mimical muscles of the face. These results were similar to that obtained by other authors that used other methods of microanastomosis. The use of fibrin tissue adhesive is an effective technique to utilize in intratemporal anastomosis of the facial nerve.