Muscle Transplants for Facial Reanimation

Abstract

Thirty-one patients with unilateral long-standing facial palsy underwent 1-stage reanimation with free gracilis muscle transplant innervated by the masseteric branch of the trigeminal nerve. They were divided into 2 nonrandomized groups according to insertion technique: group I (9 patients), interrupted suture between the free flap and the orbicularis oris of the upper and lower lip on the paralyzed side; group II (22 patients), palmaris longus tendon graft placed between the gracilis free flap and the orbicularis oris of the upper and lower lip on the nonparalyzed side. Qualitative evaluation of the smile demonstrated better results in patients from group II. Comparing the position of the Cupid's bow at rest, pre- and postoperatively in each patient, we observed significant improvement of facial symmetry in both groups. During smile, however, there was a significantly higher rate of centralization of the Cupid's bow in patients submitted to reanimation with the use of the palmaris longus tendon (group II).