Abstract
ObjectivesThe indications and outcomes of masseteric-to-facial nerve transfer in pediatric patients with short-term facial paralysis is incompletely understood as compared to its use in adult patients. This report aims to retrospectively quantify outcomes with both clinician-based measurements and objective facial analysis software. MethodsRetrospective case series at a single institution. The Sunnybrook Facial Grading System was used for clinician-based measurements and Emotrics software for objective measurements. ResultsFour pediatric patients underwent masseteric-to-facial nerve transfers from 2016 to 2018. The mean patient age at the time of surgery was 4.5 years (range = 2–7) and the mean time from paralysis onset to surgical intervention was 12.9 months (range = 10.0–16.2). The mean follow-up was 18.3 months (range = 14.5–23.6). With regards to the Sunnybrook resting nasolabial fold symmetry, 3 of the 4 patients improved from 2 (absent nasolabial fold) to 1 (less pronounced nasolabial fold). Per the Emotrics analysis, the pre- and post-operative mean absolute differences for commissure excursion between the normal functioning and paralyzed sides were 11.8 mm and 6.7 mm, respectively (p = 0.04). ConclusionThe masseteric-to-facial nerve transfer technique leads to an objective improvement in dynamic smile function in select pediatric patients.
Published Version
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