Usage of the nostrils and nose deviations in monitorization of the facial nerve regerenartion

Objective: In te present study we aimed to determine if nostril width and nose deviation could be used in monitorization of the facial nerve regeneration. Method: A total number of 60 Wistar rats were used for this purpose and randomly divided into four groups (Group 1: Control, Group 2: Sham-operated, Group 3: primary repair (-), Group 4: primary repair (-)). Nostril width and nose deviation was evaluated by video-based motion analysis. Results: Performance of the nostril closure was measured as 86%, 87%, 49%, 7% in Group 1: Control, Group 2: Sham-operated, Group 3: primary repair (-), Group 4: primary repair (-), respectively. Nose deviation angle was measured as 1.1 ± 0.9, 0.8 ± 0.6, 14.1 ± 1.5, 22.2 ± 1.6 degrees in Group 1: Control, Group 2: Sham-operated, Group 3: primary repair (-), Group 4: primary repair (-), respectively. Conclusion: In the present study we think that nostril width and nose deviation could be used to monitorize the facial nerve regeneration. However, further analysis methods should be described with the help of the technological advances to minimize stress factors due to handling the animals. We think that facial nerve regeneration should be monitorized properly with the help of these new methods. Key words: facial nerve, nostril, nose deviation