Bilateral Facial Reanimation in Möbius Syndrome

Facial Palsy ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 189-195
Author(s):  
Alexander Cardenas-Mejia ◽  
Jose E. Telich-Tarriba ◽  
Alexandro Aguilera-Salgado
Neurosurgery ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 67 (3) ◽  
pp. 663-674 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kartik G. Krishnan ◽  
Gabriele Schackert ◽  
Volker Seifert

Abstract BACKGROUND The functions of the human face are not only of esthetic significance but also extend into metaphoric nuances of psychology. The loss of function of one or both facial nerves has a remarkable impact on patients' lives. OBJECTIVE To retrospectively analyze the functional outcomes of microneurovascular facial reanimation using masseteric innervation. METHODS Seventeen patients with irreparable facial paralysis resulting from benign lesions involving the facial nuclei (n = 14) or Möbius syndrome (n = 3) were treated with free muscle flaps for oral commissural reanimation using ipsilateral masseteric innervation and using temporalis muscle transfer for eyelid reanimation. Results were analyzed by the absolute commissural excursion and commissural excursion index and by a patient self-evaluation score. Presence of synkinesis was documented. Follow-up ranged from 8 to 48 months (mean, 26.4 months). RESULTS Normalization of the commissural excursion index was observed in 8 of 17 patients (47%), an improvement was seen in 7 of 17 (41%), and failure was observed in 2 of 17 (12%). The individual dynamics of absolute commissural excursion and commissural excursion index changes are presented. A natural smiling response was observed in 10 of 17 patients (59%) but not in the remaining 7 (41%). This response reflected the patient's ability to relay the natural emotion of smiling through the masseteric nerve. Patients' self-evaluation scores were a level higher than objective indices. CONCLUSIONS Innervation of free muscle flaps with the masseteric nerve for oral commissure reanimation might play an important role in patients with lesions of the facial nuclei (as in Möbius syndrome). Synkinesis persists for long periods after surgery. However, most of the patients learned to express their emotions by overcoming this phenomenon. Despite hypercorrection or inadequate correction, patients evaluated themselves favorably.


1978 ◽  
Vol 71 (12) ◽  
pp. 1498-1501 ◽  
Author(s):  
CHARLES L. PUCKETT ◽  
SAEED A. BEG

2008 ◽  
Vol 87 (4) ◽  
pp. 226-233
Author(s):  
John P. Leonetti ◽  
Chad A. Zender ◽  
Daryl Vandevender ◽  
Sam J. Marzo

We conducted a retrospective case review at our tertiary care academic medical center to assess the long-term results of microvascular free-tissue transfer to achieve facial reanimation in 3 patients. These patients had undergone wide-field parotidectomy with facial nerve resection. Upper facial reanimation was accomplished with a proximal facial nerve–sural nerve graft, and lower facial movement was achieved through proximal facial nerve–long thoracic (serratus muscle) nerve anastomosis. Outcomes were determined by grading postoperative facial nerve function according to the House-Brackmann system. All 3 patients were able to close their eyes independent of lower facial movement, and all 3 had achieved House-Brackmann grade III function. We conclude that reanimating the paralyzed face with microvascular free-tissue transfer provides anatomic coverage and mimetic function after wide-field parotidectomy. Synkinesis is reduced by separating upper-and lower-division reanimation.


2019 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. 76-77
Author(s):  
Terence Kwan-Wong ◽  
Erin Klar ◽  
Emily S. Ho ◽  
Christine Novak ◽  
Gregory H. Borschel ◽  
...  

2011 ◽  
Vol 70 (suppl_2) ◽  
pp. ons237-ons243 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kalpesh T. Vakharia ◽  
Doug Henstrom ◽  
Scott R. Plotkin ◽  
Mack Cheney ◽  
Tessa A. Hadlock

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) is a tumor suppressor syndrome defined by bilateral vestibular schwannomas. Facial paralysis, from either tumor growth or surgical intervention, is a devastating complication of this disorder and can contribute to disfigurement and corneal keratopathy. Historically, physicians have not attempted to treat facial paralysis in these patients. OBJECTIVE: To review our clinical experience with free gracilis muscle transfer for the purpose of facial reanimation in patients with NF2. METHODS: Five patients with NF2 and complete unilateral facial paralysis were referred to the facial nerve center at our institution. Charts and operative reports were reviewed; treatment details and functional outcomes are reported. RESULTS: Patients were treated between 2006 and 2009. Three patients were men and 2 were women. The age of presentation of debilitating facial paralysis ranged from 12 to 50 years. All patients were treated with a single-stage free gracilis muscle transfer for smile reanimation. Each obturator nerve of the gracilis was coapted to the masseteric branch of the trigeminal nerve. Measurement of oral commissure excursions at rest and with smile preoperatively and postoperatively revealed an improved and nearly symmetric smile in all cases. CONCLUSION: Management of facial paralysis is oftentimes overlooked when defining a care plan for NF2 patients who typically have multiple brain and spine tumors. The paralyzed smile may be treated successfully with single-stage free gracilis muscle transfer in the motivated patient.


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