Reinnervation and Reanimation in the Treatment of Facial Nerve Palsy

Abstract

The propensity and the extent of spontaneous recovery after peripheral facial nerve paralysis should be extensively evaluated after 6 months and the decision made regarding further invasive treatment. The reinnervation procedure of choice at the moment seems to be the masseter-facial nerve anastomosis with/without the additional cross-face grafting. At the later point, the free gracilis muscle transfer to the masseter nerve has advantages over alternative procedures.