Temporalis muscle transfer for facial paralysis: a further refinement.

Abstract

Facial nerve paralysis can occur due to failure of the central driving mechanism (nuclear or supranuclear pathology), failure of the conduit between the brainstem and the peripheral musculature (the facial nerve), or failure of the peripheral end organ (the neuromuscular system). Where the peripheral neuromuscular system fails, the options for dynamic reanimation include a regional muscle transfer driven by another ipsilateral cranial nerve, or a free muscle transfer driven by the contralateral facial nerve. Temporalis muscle transfer is an example of regional muscle transfer and has been used since early in the twentieth century. A further refinement, involving mobilization of the coronoid process of the mandible in continuity with the insertion of the temporalis muscle via a nasolabial fold approach, using fascial strips to re-create movement around the mouth, is presented.