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Facial Nerve InjuriesfacialinjuryNCT06977607

Neurorrhaphy Only vs Neurorrhaphy Plus PRF vs Neurorrhaphy Plus Nano-fat in Management of Traumatic Facial Nerve Injury

A study testing Platelets Rich Fibrin, Nano-fat stem cells (NFSCs) and Repair only in people with Facial Nerve Injuries and Facial Trauma, run by Assiut University at 1 site in Egypt.

Active, not recruiting

Under way, not looking for participants. Everyone needed has enrolled. The study is still running.

Official record
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Trial summary

The current clinical trial aims to identify the most significant intervention that improves the outcome of post-traumatic facial nerve injury by comparing the following different modalities: neurorrhaphy alone, neurorrhaphy with PRF injection, and neurorrhaphy with Nanofat stem cells graft injection for significantly… Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 20 to 50 years
Conditions the study is for
Facial Nerve Injuries, Facial Trauma
What is being tested?
Platelets Rich Fibrin, Nano-fat stem cells (NFSCs) and Repair only
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
21 participants
Where
1 siteEgypt
Study dates
1 Oct 2024to 1 Jan 2026
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
Not yet: the study is under way

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 20 to 50 years
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult

Who may be able to join

  • Recent Facial nerve injury within the first 24 hours of trauma.
  • Grade V according to Sunderland classification.

Who cannot join

  • Diabetes Mellitus.
  • Steroid Dependent.

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

Egypt1 site
  • Assiut University

    Asyut, Asyut Governorate, 71515

Other trials in Egypt

About this study

Official title: Comparative Study Between Platelet- Rich Fibrin Versus Nano-Fat in Improving Facial Nerve Regeneration After Traumatic Injury

The current clinical trial aims to identify the most significant intervention that improves the outcome of post-traumatic facial nerve injury by comparing the following different modalities: neurorrhaphy alone, neurorrhaphy with PRF injection, and neurorrhaphy with Nanofat stem cells graft injection for significantly better Facial nerve regeneration.

Read the detailed description

Despite advances in microsurgical technology and an improved understanding of nerve regeneration, obtaining satisfactory results after facial nerve injury remains a challenging clinical problem.

Traumatic facial nerve injury may account for up to 10% of the causes of facial nerve palsy and has devastating effects on patients both functionally, emotionally, and aesthetically.

The most common traumatic causes of facial paralysis are resection of tumors, temporal bone fractures, and penetrating trauma to the facial nerve, including iatrogenic injury.

Patients with Facial paralysis are at a higher risk of developing adverse psychological outcomes such as depression, anxiety, and disrupted social interaction.

Facial paralysis has implications for patients' quality of life due to the facial nerve's role in myriad activities of daily living.

Peripheral nerve injuries can result in significant morbidity, including motor and/or sensory loss, which can significantly affect the life of the patient. Nowadays, the gold standard for treating nerve sections is end-to-end neurorrhaphy. Unlike other tissues in the body, peripheral nerve regeneration is slow and usually incomplete. Despite current surgical techniques, less than half of the patients who undergo nerve repair after injury regain good to excellent motor or sensory function. Primary neurorrhaphy is the preferred reconstruction modality over nerve grafting, especially for motor nerves. The main limitation to primary repair is often dictated by tension secondary to increased nerve defect length.

If coaptation without tension is impossible, a cable graft interposition using the greater auricular or sural nerves may be necessary. The success rate of nerve repair, defined as a return to House-Brackmann grade III function or better, varies from 5% to 86% within the literature.

Several new neural repair technologies have been developed recently, such as nerve regeneration bridging technology, electrical stimulation technology, and stem cell therapy technology.

Nanofat is a relatively novel technique in fat grafting that has gained significant interest in regenerative medicine, aesthetics, and translational research. It involves the extraction of autologous fat from a patient, which is then transformed into "nanofat", consisting of small fat particles with a diameter of less than 0.1 mm and containing high concentrations of stem cells and growth factors.

Adipose-derived stem cells have a huge proliferative capacity and can differentiate into mesoderm, ectoderm, and endoderm lineages. Using nano-fat graft, a better quality and faster rate of new epithelium formation in the donor site is possible.

The use of platelets for regenerative medicine has increased in recent years. Platelets, which contain growth factors, play significant roles in cell migration, proliferation, differentiation, and angiogenesis and are associated with the tissue regeneration process.

The use of PRP has increased exponentially in tissue regeneration due to its high therapeutic potential in regenerative medicine. It has been shown that the concentration of platelets compared to basal levels improves the regenerative capacity of cells, tissues, and organs.

Platelet-rich concentrates are used as a source of growth factors to improve the healing process. The diverse preparation protocols and the gaps in knowledge of their biological properties complicate the interpretation of clinical results.

The centrifugation of venous blood produces autologous platelet concentrates (APCs) at different speeds, along with the use or non-use of thrombin and anticoagulants. The fibrin clot formed after this process contains platelets and leukocytes. There are several generations of APCs.

The use of stem cells is a medical biotechnology breakthrough, bringing regenerative therapy into a new era. Stem cells are effective therapeutic agents against several diseases due to their tissue protective and repair mechanisms.

The purpose of this clinical trial is to apply potential therapeutic methods for facial nerve regeneration for acute traumatic facial nerve injury Grade V according to Sunderland classification and compare the outcome of neurorrhaphy, a surgical technique for nerve repair, versus neurorrhaphy plus PRF versus neurorrhaphy plus NFSCs in improving traumatic facial nerve injuries.

Being tested
Platelets Rich Fibrin, Nano-fat stem cells (NFSCs), Repair only
Keywords
PRF, nanofat, facial nerve
Medical subject headings
Facial Nerve Injuries

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Platelets Rich FibrinProcedure or surgery

    Also called PRF

    Repair of facial nerve injury plus Platelets Rich Fibrin will be injected around the repair and measure the out come in comparison with (Repair only) and (Repair Plus Nano-fat stem cells)

  • Nano-fat stem cells (NFSCs)Procedure or surgery

    Also called NFSCs

    Repair of facial nerve injury plus Nano fat derived stem cells will be injected around the repair and measure the out come in comparison with (Repair only) and (Repair Plus Platelets Rich Fibrin).

  • Repair onlyProcedure or surgery

    Also called facial nerve neurorrhaphy

    facial nerve neurorrhaphy only (repair only) after acute facial nerve trauma and measure the out come in comparison with (Repair plus Nano- fat Stem Cells) and (Repair Plus Platelets Rich Fibrin).

Study groups in NCT06977607
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Platelets Rich FibrinExperimentalInjection of PRF, which contains various growth factors, including GDNF and nerve growth factor (NGF), promotes peripheral nerve regeneration post-neurorrhaphy. To compare the outcome of Neurorrhaphy Platelet-rich fibrin versus Neurorrhaphy alone and Neurorrhaphy with Nanofat.
Receives: Procedure: Platelets Rich Fibrin
Repair onlyExperimentalNeurorrhaphy is the traditional method of surgical repair To compare the outcome of Neurorrhaphy alone Versus Using Different Adjuvants with Neurorrhaphy, such as Platelet-Rich Fibrin and Nano-fat.
Receives: Procedure: Repair only
Nano-fat stem cells (NFSCs)ExperimentalInjection of NFSCs contains abundant stromal vascular fraction cells and adipose-derived stem cells that help tissue regeneration. Post-neurorrhaphy injection contains abundant stromal cells that support tissue regeneration. To compare the outcome of Neurorrhaphy with Nanofat-derived stem cells injection versus Neurorrhaphy with platelet-rich fibrin injection.
Receives: Procedure: Nano-fat stem cells (NFSCs)

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Physical examination of the affected facial muscles after injury and Record the time taken for the first muscle excursion to occur following each facial nerve repair modality

    Record the First Occurrence of Muscle Excursion and Movement by facial nerve Physical examination

    Based on monthly follow-up records Physical examination of the facial muscles affected after the nerve repair is done.

    Record the time taken for the first muscle excursion ( movement) to occur following each facial nerve repair modality.

    Comparing the time interval for each modality - the earlier the occurrence, the better the outcome.

    Measured: 12 months

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted18 May 2025
  2. Study start1 Oct 2024
  3. Primary completion30 Dec 2025 (estimated)
  4. Study completion1 Jan 2026 (estimated)

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase N/A
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Crossover
Model description
* Twenty-one Patients will be randomly assigned to Groups A, B, or C ( 3 equal groups). * A research Nurse will perform simple randomization before surgery using the closed-envelop technique. * Twenty-one closed envelopes will be used; each 7 carries one of the three groups that will be randomly withdrawn at the time of surgery.
Masking
None (open label)
Enrolment
21 participants (estimated)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT06977607
Sponsor's protocol ID
PRF vs Nanofat in VII injury
Acronym
facialinjury
Status last verified
May 2025
First submitted
16 Jan 2025
Last updated
18 May 2025
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
Yes
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
Yes: International publishing after finishing the study and the results

Publications

  • Mijiritsky E, Assaf HD, Peleg O, Shacham M, Cerroni L, Mangani L. Use of PRP, PRF and CGF in Periodontal Regeneration and Facial Rejuvenation-A Narrative Review. Biology (Basel). 2021 Apr 10;10(4):317. doi: 10.3390/biology10040317.

    PubMed 33920204
  • Cecerska-Heryc E, Goszka M, Serwin N, Roszak M, Grygorcewicz B, Heryc R, Dolegowska B. Applications of the regenerative capacity of platelets in modern medicine. Cytokine Growth Factor Rev. 2022 Apr;64:84-94. doi: 10.1016/j.cytogfr.2021.11.003. Epub 2021 Dec 2.

    PubMed 34924312
  • ElSherbeny K, Elshahat A, Gad A. Effect of Nano Fat Graft on the Healing of Donor Site of Split Thickness Skin Graft. The Egyptian Journal of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. 2023 Apr 1;47(2):79-88.

  • La Padula S, Ponzo M, Lombardi M, Iazzetta V, Errico C, Polverino G, Russo F, D'Andrea L, Hersant B, Meningaud JP, Salzano G, Pensato R. Nanofat in Plastic Reconstructive, Regenerative, and Aesthetic Surgery: A Review of Advancements in Face-Focused Applications. J Clin Med. 2023 Jun 28;12(13):4351. doi: 10.3390/jcm12134351.

    PubMed 37445386
  • Zou X, Dong Y, Alhaskawi A, Zhou H, Ezzi SHA, Kota VG, Abdulla MHAH, Abdalbary SA, Lu H, Wang C. Techniques and graft materials for repairing peripheral nerve defects. Front Neurol. 2024 Jan 22;14:1307883. doi: 10.3389/fneur.2023.1307883. eCollection 2023.

    PubMed 38318237
  • Gray KM, Burkat AJ, Arney LA, Peterman NJ, Mandala SR, Capito AE. Timing and Predictors of Upper Extremity Peripheral Nerve Reconstruction. JPRAS Open. 2025 Feb 27;44:308-315. doi: 10.1016/j.jpra.2025.02.018. eCollection 2025 Jun.

    PubMed 40271482
  • Grinsell D, Keating CP. Peripheral nerve reconstruction after injury: a review of clinical and experimental therapies. Biomed Res Int. 2014;2014:698256. doi: 10.1155/2014/698256. Epub 2014 Sep 3.

    PubMed 25276813
  • Bassilios Habre S, Bond G, Jing XL, Kostopoulos E, Wallace RD, Konofaos P. The Surgical Management of Nerve Gaps: Present and Future. Ann Plast Surg. 2018 Mar;80(3):252-261. doi: 10.1097/SAP.0000000000001252.

    PubMed 29166306
  • Sasaki R, Watanabe Y, Yamato M, Okamoto T. Tissue-engineered nerve guides with mesenchymal stem cells in the facial nerve regeneration. Neurochem Int. 2021 Sep;148:105062. doi: 10.1016/j.neuint.2021.105062. Epub 2021 May 15.

    PubMed 34004239
  • Vargo M, Ding P, Sacco M, Duggal R, Genther DJ, Ciolek PJ, Byrne PJ. The psychological and psychosocial effects of facial paralysis: A review. J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg. 2023 Aug;83:423-430. doi: 10.1016/j.bjps.2023.05.027. Epub 2023 May 19.

    PubMed 37311285
  • Hohman MH, Bhama PK, Hadlock TA. Epidemiology of iatrogenic facial nerve injury: a decade of experience. Laryngoscope. 2014 Jan;124(1):260-5. doi: 10.1002/lary.24117. Epub 2013 Apr 18.

    PubMed 23606475
  • Datta N, Fung E, Hatala A, Melnyk B, Bradley E. Imaging traumatic facial nerve injuries: a narrative review of current strategies and future directions for cranial nerve imaging. Plast Aesthet Res. 2023;10:51. http://dx.doi.org/10.20517/2347-9264.2023.22

  • Yoo MC, Chon J, Jung J, Kim SS, Bae S, Kim SH, Yeo SG. Potential Therapeutic Strategies and Substances for Facial Nerve Regeneration Based on Preclinical Studies. Int J Mol Sci. 2021 May 6;22(9):4926. doi: 10.3390/ijms22094926.

    PubMed 34066483

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Platelets Rich Fibrin, Nano-fat stem cells (NFSCs) and Repair only in people with Facial Nerve Injuries and Facial Trauma, run by Assiut University at 1 site in Egypt.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 2 inclusion and 2 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: under way, not looking for participants, as of the sponsor's last update on 18 May 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in Egypt. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Physical examination of the affected facial muscles after injury and Record the time taken for the first muscle excursion to occur following each facial nerve repair modality (time frame: 12 months). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT06977607, which also lists 13 linked publications.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 18 May 2025.

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