Cross-facial nerve graft—the long and short graft: The first stage for microneurovascular muscle transfer

Abstract

The cross-facial nerve graft provides appropriate innervation from the nonparalyzed to the paralyzed side of the face. It is particularly important, as a preliminary procedure, to microneurovascular muscle transfer. Our preferred method of identifying suitable nerve branches is to expose all buccal zygomatic branches through a preauricular incision and then select the most appropriate branches using functional nerve stimulation. By using the short nerve-graft technique, it may be possible to obtain stronger innervation for the transferred muscle.