Skip to main content
Log in

Neurotization of nasal mucosa by end-to-side nerve graft: preliminary report of smell restoration

  • Case Report
  • Published:
European Journal of Plastic Surgery Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Nerve regeneration after an end-to-side neurorrhaphy had been well established in the literature. Both sensory and motor functions could be achieved using this technique. Autonomic and special sensory restoration (e.g., smell sensation) were not studied extensively before. Post-traumatic anosmia has an overall prevalence rate of 7%, with a variable rate of recovery. In this preliminary report, olfactory sensation was restored in a case with a long-standing anosmia using end-to-side nerve graft. The patient reported regaining of smell, which was confirmed by a smell identification test. This technique has the potential to be a promising method for smell restoration; however, it needs further workup and investigations.

Level of Evidence: Level V, therapeutic study.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Viterbo F, Trindade JC, Hoshino K, Mazzoni A (1992) Latero-terminal neurorrhaphy without removal of the epineural sheath: an experimental study in rats. São Paulo Med J 110:267–275

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Geo W, Liu Q, Li S, Zhang J, Li Y (2015) End-to-side neurorrhaphy for nerve repair and functional rehabilitation. J Surg Res 197:427–435

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Schriever VA, Merkonidis C, Gupta N, Hummel C, Hummel T (2012) Treatment of smell loss with systemic methylprednisolone. Rhinology 50(3):284–289

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Ribas ES, Duffau H (2012) Permanent anosmia and ageusia after resection of a left temporoinsular low-grade glioma: anatomofunctional considerations. J Neurosurg 116(5):1007–1013

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Jimenez DF, Sundrani S, Barone CM (1997) Posttraumatic anosmia in craniofacial trauma. J Craniomaxillofac Trauma 3(1):8–15

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Lafreniere D, Mann N (2009) Anosmia: loss of smell in the elderly. Otolaryngol Clin North Am 42(1):123–131

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Ikeda K, Sakurada T, Takasaka T, Okitsu T, Yoshida S (1995) Anosmia following head trauma: preliminary study of steroid treatment. Tohoku J Exp Med 177(4):343–351

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Viterbo F, Amr AH, Stipp EJ, Reis FJ (2009) End-to-side neurorrhaphy: past, present, and future. Plast Reconstr Surg 124(6 Suppl):e351–e358

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ahmed M. Gad.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

Fausto Viterbo, Ahmed M. Gad, and Ryane S. Brock declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Ethical approval

For this kind of article formal consent is not required.

Informed consent

Informed consent was obtained from the patient included in this case study.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Viterbo, F., Gad, A.M. & Brock, R.S. Neurotization of nasal mucosa by end-to-side nerve graft: preliminary report of smell restoration. Eur J Plast Surg 41, 719–720 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00238-018-1426-z

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00238-018-1426-z

Keywords

Navigation