Innervation of Facial Muscles Using an Allogeneic Biomaterial in an Experiment

Abstract

Introduction. It is known that the problem of regeneration of damaged peripheral nerves is one of the leading problems in traumatology and neurosurgery.Aim. Aim of the study is to determine the features of the innervation of facial muscles when using allogeneic biomaterials.Materials and methods. The experiment was performed on Chinchilla rabbits (n = 36). The facial nerve was cut in the animals. In the control group (n = 9), the wound was sewn up, in the 1st experimental group (n = 12), a fragment of their masticatory muscle was sewn together with a neurovascular bundle to the denervated buccal muscle. In the 2nd experimental group (n = 15), dispersed allogeneic biomaterials "Regeneration stimulator" and "Vasculogenesis stimulator" were injected into the muscle junction in the operation zone. Rabbits were withdrawn from the experiment for 10, 30, 60 and 180 days. Tissue pieces from the surgery area were examined by transmission electron microscopy.Results and discussion. In the control and 1st experimental groups, the experiment ended with scarring of the operating area and contracture of facial muscles. In the 2nd experimental group, signs of tissue revascularization and axon germination to the buccal muscle with the restoration of individual neuromuscular synapses were revealed.Conclusion. The use of allogeneic biomaterials in operations to restore damaged peripheral nerves accompanying muscles creates conditions not only for the restoration of muscle fibers, but also the vascular bed, as well as nerve elements with neuromuscular connections.

Keywords

• muscle reinnervation
• allogeneic biomaterials
• axon growth