Actively Recruiting
Study of Brief Electrical Stimulation During Cross-Face Nerve Graft Surgery to Improve Nerve Healing and Smile Recovery in Facial Paralysis
Led by The Cleveland Clinic · Updated on 2025-07-30
20
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
N/A
Total Duration
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
This research aims to find out if brief electrical stimulation applied during surgery can improve nerve healing and smile outcomes in patients with unilateral facial paralysis undergoing two-stage cross-face nerve graft facial reanimation surgery. The study compares the effects of this stimulation to standard care without stimulation. It focuses on nerve regeneration and clinical outcomes related to smile function. Participants will be randomly assigned in a 21 ratio to either a treatment group or a control group. Both groups will have nerve biopsies during surgery, which do not affect surgery length or results. The treatment group additionally receives about 10 minutes of brief electrical stimulation during the first stage of the nerve graft surgery, while the control group does not. During the study, researchers will evaluate nerve regeneration using nerve tissue analysis and assess clinical outcomes through patient surveys and objective smile measurements over 24 months. Participants will be monitored for nerve healing and smile function, with follow-up assessments to measure the effects of the electrical stimulation compared to standard care.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Intraoperative Electrical Stimulation to Improve Nerve Grafting Outcome
Research Team
H
Hana Rosen, MD
J
John O'Neill, MD
Not the Right Trial for You?
Explore thousands of other clinical trials that might be a better match.
Sign up to get personalized trial recommendations delivered to your inbox.
Already have an account? Log in here
