Objectives: The purpose of this study was to look into the efficacy of caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE), which we believe may be therapeutically useful in facial nerve restoration due to its neuroprotective and antioxidant properties. Materials and Methods: 20 Sprague Dawley rats were divided randomly into 4 primary and 2 secondary groups and assigned as control, methylprednisolone, CAPE, CAPE+methylprednisolone groups and the sham and the trauma groups. Except for the sham group, all groups had the left facial nerve crushed. Three weeks after surgery, prospective functional, electrophysiologic, and histologic recovery was assessed. Results: The CAPE and CAPE+ methylprednisolone group had similar and more significant recovery at Nerve Excitability Thresholds at the end of three weeks. In histopathological evaluation, when the groups were compared in terms of myelin sheath thickness, vascular congestion and axonal degeneration, it was observed that only the CAPE+ methylprednisolone group achieved a significantly faster improvement compared to the control group. Although there was an earlier improvement in the blink tests in the CAPE and CAPE+steroid group compared to the methylprednisolone and control groups, complete recovery was observed in all groups on the 21st day. Conclusion: The combination of caffeic acid phenethyl ester and methylprednisolone was found to be efficient in nerve regeneration and may be a good alternative for lowering the dose of methylprednisolone to minimize adverse effects. Key Words: Caffeic acid phenetyl ester, facial nerve, neuroprotective agents, experimental rat model.

Selim Kul

and 4 more

Objectives: This study aims to examine the effects of autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP), which increases new connective tissue synthesis and revascularization, on healing in parotid surgery wound, prevention of salivary fistula formation, drain removal time, and hospitalization in the postoperative period. Materials and Methods: Fifty-four patients who had an operation on superficial parotidectomy were randomized, and then two groups were created. PRP was gained by centrifuging the blood taken from the patients at the end of the surgery in the study group. This gained PRP was injected into the surgical site, and then the wound flap was closed by suturing. Patients were evaluated for the parameters such as the development of salivary fistula, duration of drain removal, discharge time, all other complications during the postoperative 4 weeks. Results: Drain removal time and discharge time of the PRP group cases were statistically shorter than those in the control group. The rate of development of salivary fistula according to the groups was remarkably high in the control group, but it was not statistically significant. Statistically significant correlation was found between the location of the compared tumor, and volume of material removed, and the incidence of all complications. Conclusions: PRP reduced the duration of drain removal and discharge time for those who had an operation on superficial parotidectomy. Thus, the decreased discharge time provides both reduced health costs and the risk of developing nosocomial infections. Although it was not statistically significant, a significant difference was observed in the rates of salivary fistula development.