New one-stage nerve pedicle grafting technique using the great auricular nerve for reconstruction of facial nerve defects

A new one-stage nerve pedicle grafting technique, employing a vascularized great auricular nerve graft, was used to repair a facial nerve defect. The facial nerve of a 39-year-old woman with facial schwannoma was resected, and an island vascularized great auricular nerve graft from the ipsilateral side was transferred to bridge a 4 cm long defect of the buccal branch. Postoperatively, rapid nerve sprouting through the vascularized nerve graft and excellent facial reamination were obtained within 6 months after surgery. This method in one-stage using a vascularized nerve graft is technically easy, requires a short operating time, has minimal donor-site morbidity, and leads to successful nerve regeneration postoperatively.