Preliminary study on histologic changes in the nerve and surrounding tissues after inferior alveolar nerve transposition in rabbits

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was 1) to find nerve damage after inferior alveolar nerve transposition and 2) to examine whether the soft tissue or bone changes around the nerve produce the compression to the nerve in the healing period. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Inferior alveolar nerve was exposed through the bony window and the scratch was made in the bone to be thought as the inferior alveolar canal. Suture was made after the nerve was repositioned. The nerve and surrounding tissues were examined with the light microscope and the fluorescent microscope before surgery and at 1 month, 3 months, and 5 months after surgery. RESULTS: After surgery, the epineurium was damaged and the nerve was divided to several fascicles covered with the perineurium The newly formed fibrous connective tissue and vessels were seen around fascicles. There was new bone formation. However the nerve was not compressed by the connective tissue or the new bone. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that neurosensory disturbances after inferior alveolar nerve transposition are resulted by the direct trauma in surgery rather than the compression to the nerve by the scar or new bone formation in the healing period.