Nonmicrosurgical grafting for facial nerve branches with permanent sensational functional outcome

Abstract

A 49-year-old man underwent intraoperatively modified procedure from superficial to radical parotidectomy with excision of the facial nerve 4 branches, temporal, zygomatic, buccal, and mandibular. We have dissected and harvested the branches of the great auricular nerve to repair the defects of the temporal, zygomatic, buccal, and mandibular nerves without microsurgery aid. The aims of the repair were just to mark the nerve endings, to try autologous grafting, and to avoid neuroma(s) formation, although neuroma(s) formations from motor nerves are rare. We did an immediate temporary nonmicrosurgical nerve grafting, and we have sutured each nerve anastomosis by 2-3 stitches of Prolene 6-0. We have observed facial nerve branches' recovery on the second month, even with radiation therapy, and then gradually more improvements on the third month and then on the sixth month of the follow-up. Finally, the procedure results in permanent sensational functional outcome after 1 year. Because we did not plan a microsurgical repair, this case report does not support any intended nonmicrosurgical procedures for facial nerve repair, but it raises questions for laboratory and animal investigations about the size of Prolene we have used, grip repair taking the epineurium and fascicle in mass closure, and the positive fast functional results. In surgical environments where microscope or microinstruments are lacking, one can still perform primary nerve grafting.