The effectiveness of concentrated growth factor in facial nerve crush injury

•This study investigates the regenerative effects of concentrated growth factor (CGF) on facial nerve crush injuries.•Rats treated with CGF demonstrated faster and more complete whisker function recovery compared to the control group.•Electromyography results showed significantly improved latency and amplitude in the CGF group by the fourth week, aligning with preoperative levels.•Histological analysis revealed less edema and fibrosis, and lower levels of degeneration markers Neurofilament-H and Anti-Tau in the CGF group.•CGF shows potential as a cost-effective and practical treatment for peripheral nerve injuries. To evaluate the effect of concentrated growth factor (CGF) on regeneration of facial nerve after crush injury. Fourteen rats were randomized into two groups. The control group (CG) (n = 7) received a crush injury to the right facial nerve. The CGF group (CGFG) (n = 7) received a crush injury to the right facial nerve and concentrated growth factor prepared from their own blood thereafter. Left facial nerves were used for functional comparison. Nerve function was evaluated using whisker movements and electromyography. Histologic properties were evaluated using hematoxylin and eosin and Masson-trichrome staining, and immunohistochemical properties were evaluated using Neurofilament-H and Anti-Tau degeneration markers. In the CGFG, whisker functions began to recover earlier and recovered more quickly compared with the CG. The CG showed significantly prolonged latency and reduced amplitudes in the first week compared with the CGFG (p < 0.05). Recordings of 4th-week latency and amplitudes were similar to the preoperative period in the CGFG (p > 0.05), whereas recordings of the same week were significantly worse in the CG (p < 0.05). Edema and fibrosis were also more pronounced in the CG compared with the CGFG. Neurofilament-H and Anti-Tau were at significantly high levels in the CG (p < 0.05). Concentrated growth factor promotes recovery in facial crush injury and may prove a cost-effective, practical, and effective treatment choice in peripheral nerve injury.