Gore-Tex tubing as a conduit for repair of lingual and inferior alveolar nerve continuity defects: A preliminary report

Outcomes of Immediate Allograft Reconstruction of Long-Span Defects of the Inferior Alveolar Nerve

“…3,4,12 However, the data is lacking regarding autogenous grafting of defects ≥50 mm, since these relevant studies either did not report the nerve graft lengths, or the nerve gaps were less than 40 mm in length. 3,4,12 Conduits have shown inferior results compared to both nerve autografts and allografts; 13,14,15 it has been proposed that conduits lack the three-dimensional structure and neurotrophic and neurotropic factors known to be beneficial in nerve regeneration; and, that this reconstructive option should be limited to nerve defects of less than 5 mm. 16,17 Additionally, chemically decellularized allogeneic nerve grafts have been shown to maintain the neural dimensions and fascicular architecture, and contain neurotropic and neurotrophic factors that result in nerves regenerated with greater axonal densities when compared to nerve autografts.…”

Platelet rich plasma may enhance peripheral nerve regeneration after cyanoacrylate reanastomosis: a controlled blind study on rats

“…Damage to the peripheral nerves in the head and neck, including the inferior alveolar, lingual, facial and hypoglossal nerves, can occur through a number of causes 17,19,36 . These include maxillofacial trauma, orthognathic surgery, neoplastic growth and dentoalveolar surgery, particularly surgical removal of the lower 3 rd molar, implant placement, and injection of local anaesthesia 11,26,27,35,37 .…”

“…Some cases may necessitate surgical intervention 32,38,43 . There are several techniques for repairing peripheral nerves including: micro-suturing, gluing 6,18,29,32,41 (fibrin and cyanoacrylate glues), tabulation 33,36,40 , grafting 1,34 (allograft, autograft), and laser welding 15 . The ideal technique has yet to be developed, but several principles for nerve repair are accepted 5,29 .…”

Surgical Management of Inferior Alveolar Nerve Injuries

“…Synthetic alloplastic tubes have not proven successful as interpositional grafts, and a number of studies have shown that nerves do not appear to grow through Dacron or Goretex (expanded polytetra fl uoroethylene, e-PTFE) tubes even though they are easy to obtain and easy to place on each end of the nerve. Although there has been some success in using e-PTFE in the animal model [ 21 ] , they are not clinically applicable [ 22,23 ] ( Fig. 14.13 ).…”