Abstract
Facial paralysis affects 23,000 people annually in the U.S., often resulting from facial nerve damage due to tumors or surgery. The condition significantly impacts quality of life by impairing emotional expression, communication, breathing complications. Current surgical treatments, attempt to reconnect lost nerves but yield inconsistent results due to donor site complications and scarring. There is an urgent need for improved therapies that enhance nerve regeneration and recovery. Biomaterials offer a promising alternative by guiding axonal regrowth without requiring donor tissue. These materials mimic native tissue and can include factors that attract cells to bridge nerve gaps. This study evaluates the regenerative potential of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) tubes in a rat model of acute facial nerve injury. Recovery was assessed through facial palsy scoring, electrophysiology, and histological analyses of cellular infiltration and neuromuscular junction integrity. Results showed that PEG tubes promoted faster recovery than autografts at eight weeks post-injury. Electrophysiological assessments revealed no significant differences in muscle action potentials between PEG and autograft repairs. PEG tubes maintained neuromuscular innervation and preserved NMJ morphology comparable to sham conditions. These findings suggest that PEG implantation provides an effective alternative to autografts for facial nerve repair, offering a scalable, off-the-shelf therapeutic option.