Stimulation of Trigeminal Afferents Improves Motor Recovery After Facial Nerve Injury (eBook)

First major set: mild indirect stimulation of the trigeminal afferents after combined surgery on the infraorbital and facial nerves by removal (clipping) of the contralateral vibrissal hairs.- Second major set: intensive indirect stimulation of the trigeminal afferents after facial nerve surgery by extcision of the contralateral infraorbital nerve.- Third major set: direct stimulation of the trigeminal and facial nerves after facial nerve surgery by massage of the vibrissal muscles .-  Fourth major set: direct stimulation of the trigeminal and facial nerves after facial nerve surgery by application of  electric current to the vibrissal muscles.- RESULTS.- Mild indirect stimulation of the trigeminal afferents after combined surgery on the infraorbital and facial nerves by removal of the contralateral vibrissal hairs improves vibrissal function.- Intensive indirect stimulation of the trigeminal afferents by excision of the contralateral ION attenuates the degree of collateral axonal branching and improves the accuracy of muscle reinnervation.-   Direct stimulation of the trigeminal and facial nerves by massage of the vibrissal muscles improves the quality of target reinnervation and promotes full recovery of whisking function.- Direct stimulation of the trigeminal and facial nerves by electric current to the vibrissal muscles fails to improve quality of target reinnervation and does not promote recovery of vibrissal function.- DISCUSSION.- Mild indirect stimulation of the trigeminal afferents by removal of the contralateral vibrissal hairs has a beneficial effect on motor recovery.- Beneficial effect of the intensive indirect stimulation of the trigeminal afferents by excision of the contralateral ION.-  Complete recovery of motor function after direct stimulation of the trigeminal and facial nerves by massage of the vibrissal muscles.- Deleterious effect of the direct stimulation of the trigeminal and facial nerves by application of electric current to the vibrissal muscles . - conclusion.- References.