Nerve Regeneration Using Polyglycolic Acid-Collagen Tube Following Tumor Resection in The Inferior Alveolar Nerve

Abstract

A conduit for peripheral nerve regeneration (NERBRIDGE®; Toyobo Co., Japan) in cases of disconnection or deficiency of the peripheral nerve was approved in Japan in 2013. NERBRIDGE® is a polyglycolic acid-collagen (PGA) product derived from porcine skin. The use of NERBRIDGE® has been reported mainly in orthopaedic surgery. Reports on its use for sensory nerve injuries in the oral region are scarce. This case report describes a case of significant sensory recovery obtained by nerve repair using NERBRIDGE® in a patient with schwannoma-induced inferior alveolar nerve resection. At the 1-year postoperative evaluation, sensory nerve recovery using the two-point discrimination test was confirmed.