Chronic Facial Palsy Research Articles

Gold weight implants for lagophthalmos correction in chronic facial nerve paralysis (late results)

Upper eyelid weigh gold implant is the widely accepted standard for the treatment of paralytic lagophthalmos (PL). To evaluate late outcomes of PL correction with chain gold implants. Chain gold implants were inserted in the upper eyelids of 70 patients with lagophthalmos due to chronic facial paralysis. A comprehensive ophthalmic examination was performed prior to surgery and then at months 1, 3, 6, 12, 24, and 36. The results obtained prove the method highly effective. None of the patients developed any severe complications. Cases of implant removal were few. Some of the studied biometric parameters decreased significantly after surgery, while the upper eyelid excursion increased. The implant had no effect on the inner surface of the cornea and its peripheral thickness. Efficacy of the proposed eyelid implant has been convincingly demonstrated; late complications have been analyzed.

Health-related quality of life in 794 patients with a peripheral facial palsy using the FaCE Scale: a retrospective cohort study.

To describe the health-related quality of life of patients visiting a tertiary referral centre for facial palsy, and to analyse factors associated with health-related quality of life, using the FaCE Scale instrument. Retrospective cohort study. The Facial Nerve Center at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, a tertiary referral centre. Patients with a peripheral facial palsy visiting the centre for an initial consultation between August 2007 and June 2012. The total FaCE score and the FaCE social function subdomain. Multiple regression models were developed to identify factors associated with the total FaCE score and FaCE social function score. A total of 794 patients with a mean age of 47.0 ± 16.0 years were analysed in this study, of which 59.9% were female. The mean House-Brackmann, Sunnybrook, total FaCE and FaCE social function scores were 3.6 ± 1.5, 48.2 ± 21.2, 47.3 ± 19.3 and 55.5 ± 19.2, respectively. Increasing age (r = -0.229, P < 0.001) was associated with a lower total FaCE score. Female gender (r = -4.422, P = 0.033) and increased duration of palsy (r = -0.018, P = 0.041) were associated with lower FaCE social function scores. While counselling patients on what to expect during the recovery process after facial paralysis is an important part of any clinical visit, FaCE score correlations suggest that female patients with chronic facial palsy and increased age constitute a patient category that may require additional time and attention to prevent or mitigate psychosocial dysfunction.

The Therapeutic Effect of Stellate Ganglion Block on Facial Nerve Palsy in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Background/Aims: The conventional systemic corticosteroid treatment for acute peripheral facial nerve palsy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus can induce hyperglycemia, and an alternative local therapy may be necessary. Our purpose in this study is to evaluate therapeutic effects of stellate ganglion block (SGB) on facial nerve palsy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Methods: A total of 361 cases of acute peripheral, chronic peripheral, acute central and chronic central facial nerve palsy treated with SGB or conventional therapy were included in this retrospective study. The facial nerve function score (Sunnybrook Facial Grading System) obtained at before and after treatment in non-SGB and SGB groups was used to assess the outcome. Furthermore, the blood glucose level in acute peripheral facial nerve palsy was measured. Results: The facial nerve function score in the SGB group was higher than that in the non-SGB group after treatment in peripheral facial nerve palsy, while the blood glucose level in the non-SGB group increased and was higher than that in the SGB group during the treatment in acute peripheral facial nerve palsy. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that SGB has better therapeutic effect than conventional treatment on acute and chronic peripheral facial nerve palsy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Cutaneous cooling to manage botulinum toxin injection-associated pain in patients with facial palsy: A randomised controlled trial

Botulinum toxin injections are an effective, well-established treatment to manage synkinesis secondary to chronic facial palsy, but they entail painful injections at multiple sites on the face up to four times per year. Cutaneous cooling has long been recognised to provide an analgesic effect for cutaneous procedures, but evidence to date has been anecdotal or weak. This randomised controlled trial aims to assess the analgesic efficacy of cutaneous cooling using a cold gel pack versus a room-temperature Control. The analgesic efficacy of a 1-min application of a Treatment cold (3-5°C) gel pack versus a Control (room-temperature (20°C)) gel pack prior to botulinum toxin injection into the platysma was assessed via visual analogue scale (VAS) ratings of pain before, during and after the procedure. Thirty-five patients received both trial arms during two separate clinic appointments. Cold gel packs provided a statistically significant reduction in pain compared with a room-temperature Control (from 26.4- to 10.2-mm VAS improvement (p<0.001)), with no variance noted secondary to age, the hemi-facial side injected or the order in which the Treatment or Control gel packs were applied. Cryoanalgesia using a fridge-cooled gel pack provides an effective, safe and cheap method for reducing pain at the botulinum toxin injection site in patients with facial palsy.

Clinical study on skin needling plus heat-sensitive moxibustion for chronic facial paralysis

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of skin needling plus heat-sensitive moxibustion in treating chronic facial paralysis.

Contemporary management of Bell palsy.

Bell palsy (BP) is the most common diagnosis in acute and chronic facial palsy. Although most patients fully recover, more than one-quarter will have residual dysfunction. Of these, nearly half will demonstrate severe limitations in facial expression. Though significant attention has been paid to acute management and prognosis, a paucity of literature exists addressing management of the long-term sequelae of BP. This article describes contemporary use of physical therapy, injectables, and static and dynamic surgical procedures in facial reanimation of acute and chronic BP.

Facial Plastic Surgery Maintenance of Certification Review Course

Program Description: This 3-hour course sponsored by the American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery Foundation Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Education Committee will provide a concise review of facial plastic surgery topics that will provide attendees a starting point in preparing for the recertification examination (maintenance of certification [MOC] part III). Faculty will use a combination of didactic and case-based formats to cover essential content areas including facial trauma, aging face, facial defect repair, and surgical management of chronic facial paralysis. The course will also fulfill the MOC part II requirements by providing continuing medical education credit. Educational Objectives: (1) Demonstrate increased understanding of key topics in facial plastic surgery. (2) Guide further study on these topics in facial plastic surgery. (3) Access available resources in facial plastic surgery that will assist in test preparation.

Chronic Renal Failure and Peripheral Facial Paralysis: Co-existance or Adverse Affect?

Chronic Renal Failure and Peripheral Facial Paralysis: Co-existance or Adverse Affect?

Quantitative ultrasonography of facial muscles in patients with chronic facial palsy

In this study we introduce quantitative facial muscle ultrasound as a diagnostic tool for patients with chronic unilateral facial palsy. Muscle area, thickness, and echo intensity of 6 facial muscles (frontalis, orbicularis oculi, orbicularis oris, depressor anguli oris, depressor labii inferioris, and mentalis) and of 2 chewing muscles (temporalis and masseter, as controls) were measured in 20 patients with chronic facial palsy. Aside from 1, all facial muscles were significantly smaller on the paralyzed side. With exception of frontalis and orbicularis oculi muscles, all other facial muscles showed significantly higher echo intensity on the affected side. Muscle size and echo intensity of the chewing muscles showed no side-to-side asymmetry. Quantitative ultrasound of facial muscles helps to better characterize their status in patients with chronic facial palsy in the phase of denervation and during regeneration.

3D-Ultrasonography for evaluation of facial muscles in patients with chronic facial palsy or defective healing: a pilot study.

BackgroundWhile standardized methods are established to examine the pathway from motorcortex to the peripheral nerve in patients with facial palsy, a reliable method to evaluate the facial muscles in patients with long-term palsy for therapy planning is lacking.MethodsA 3D ultrasonographic (US) acquisition system driven by a motorized linear mover combined with conventional US probe was used to acquire 3D data sets of several facial muscles on both sides of the face in a healthy subject and seven patients with different types of unilateral degenerative facial nerve lesions.ResultsThe US results were correlated to the duration of palsy and the electromyography results. Consistent 3D US based volumetry through bilateral comparison was feasible for parts of the frontalis muscle, orbicularis oculi muscle, depressor anguli oris muscle, depressor labii inferioris muscle, and mentalis muscle. With the exception of the frontal muscle, the facial muscles volumes were much smaller on the palsy side (minimum: 3% for the depressor labii inferior muscle) than on the healthy side in patients with severe facial nerve lesion. In contrast, the frontal muscles did not show a side difference. In the two patients with defective healing after spontaneous regeneration a decrease in muscle volume was not seen. Synkinesis and hyperkinesis was even more correlated to muscle hypertrophy on the palsy compared with the healthy side.Conclusion3D ultrasonography seems to be a promising tool for regional and quantitative evaluation of facial muscles in patients with facial palsy receiving a facial reconstructive surgery or conservative treatment.

Facial Reanimation Procedures Depicted on Radiologic Imaging

Various facial reanimation procedures can be performed for treating patients with chronic facial nerve paralysis. The radiologic imaging features of static and dynamic techniques are reviewed in this article with clinical correlation, including brow lift, eyelid weights and springs, gracilis free flaps, fascia lata grafts, temporalis flaps, and Gore-Tex suspension slings. Although the anatomic alterations resulting from facial reanimation surgery may not necessarily be the focus of the imaging examination, it is important to recognize such changes and be familiar with MR imaging compatibility of the associated implanted materials. Furthermore, imaging is sometimes used to specifically evaluate the postoperative results, such as vessel patency following free gracilis transfer.

Current thoughts and developments in facial nerve reanimation

To present the most current literature regarding the management of acute and chronic facial paralysis. This review will focus primarily on smile reanimation in the setting of acute and chronic facial paralysis. The management of the flaccid and the hypertonic face will be discussed. Recent developments include advances in neural repair with fibrin glue and the use of cadaveric nerve grafts as interposition grafts. Advances in nerve substitutes have been shown to limit donor-site morbidity and provide similar outcomes to autografts. Techniques for muscle transfer continue to evolve to improve smile outcomes. The goal of facial reanimation surgery is to restore meaningful facial movement. The goal should be to have quality-driven clinical practice guidelines to better facilitate patient care. This process must be initiated by facial reanimation surgeons deciding to use consistent outcome measures to report their results. Currently, it is impossible to make a direct comparison between different surgical techniques because of inconsistent methods of evaluation. Despite the lack of consistent quantitative evaluation, there have been many exciting advances in the field.

EMG Biofeedback Training zuhause zur Therapie der Defektheilung bei chronischer Fazialisparese

There is no standard for the adjuvant treatment of patients with chronic facial palsy and defective healing. There is a lack of standard for mimic training programs with biofeedback technique. The advantages of modern EMG based biofeedback training have not been evaluated yet. After detailed instruction 8 patients with facial palsy tested several types of electrodes and different EMG biofeedback programs without and with electrostimulation for selected mimic muscle activation, muscle relaxation, coordinated movements with the healthy contralateral side, as well as synchronous activation and relaxation of synkinetic muscle pairs at home. Feasibility, practical handling, training intensity and compliance were evaluated. Because of the mobility of the facial skin connected to the mimic muscles and the smallness of the muscles on the other hand, only one type of electrodes and one size was suitable. A step-wise treatment algorithm for the use of the different EMG biofeedback program was developed supporting the patient to specifically exercise deficits of defective healing at home. The proposed standardized algorithm to treat facial defective healing with EMG biofeedback is the basis for the evaluation of its efficacy in a subsequent clinical trial.

Involuntary Movement during Mastication in Patients with Long-Term Facial Paralysis Reanimated with a Partial Gracilis Free Neuromuscular Flap Innervated by the Masseteric Nerve

Midface reanimation in patients with chronic facial paralysis is not always possible with an ipsilateral or contralateral facial nerve innervating a free neuromuscular tissue transfer. Alternate use of nonfacial nerves is occasionally indicated but may potentially result in inadvertent motions. The goal of this study was to objectively review videos of patients who underwent one-stage reanimation with a gracilis muscle transfer innervated by the masseteric nerve for (1) inadvertent motion during eating, (2) characterization of masticatory patterns, and (3) social hindrance perceived by the patients during meals. Between the years 2009 and 2012, 18 patients underwent midfacial reanimation with partial gracilis muscle transfer coapted to the masseter nerve for treatment of midfacial paralysis. Sixteen patients were videotaped in detail while eating. Involuntary midface movement on the reconstructed side and mastication patterns were assessed. In addition, 16 patients were surveyed as to whether involuntary motion constituted a problem in their daily lives. All 16 patients videotaped during mastication demonstrated involuntary motion on the reconstructed side while eating. Several unique masticatory patterns were noted as well. Only one of the 16 patients reported involuntary motion as a minor disturbance in daily life during meals. All patients with chronic facial paralysis who plan to undergo midface reanimation with a free tissue transfer innervated by the ipsilateral masseter nerve should be told that they would universally have involuntary animation during mastication. Most patients do not consider this a major drawback in their daily lives. Therapeutic, IV.

Static Treatment Modalities in Facial Paralysis: A Review

Facial nerve dysfunction can be attributed to several different causes. Several techniques have been developed to help treat the appearance and functional limitation of patients with sequelae of facial nerve dysfunction. There are options regarding static techniques of facial nerve injury treatment that range from facial musculature plication or shortening, fascial sling suspension via allograft or autograft, injectables and implants (ENDURAGen, AlloDerm, LifeCell, Bridgewater, New Jersey, USA) to techniques such as brow lift, open and endoscopic facelifts, and various eyelid surgeries with upper and lower lid procedures. In this review the various static facial nerve treatment modalities are discussed. A comprehensive review of the literature was performed detailing the most common static facial nerve treatment modalities and their known results and complications. There are individual issues associated with facial palsy for which individual solutions must be carefully tailored. Despite the presence of many surgical options, the results of reconstruction are limited. With the rapid advancement of surgical techniques, approaches to the management of facial nerve dysfunction have expanded, helping surgeons to improve and utilize alternative techniques for the treatment of patients with acute and chronic facial paralysis.

Orthodromic temporalis tendon transfer

Chronic facial paralysis is a challenging clinical entity. One of the primary goals is re-establishment of a dynamic smile, which is so important to everyday social interaction. When the facial muscles are denervated for longer than approximately 2 years, they atrophy and fibrose making nerve transfer procedures ineffective. In these cases, regional or free muscle transfer is necessary to achieve dynamic facial movement. Over the past decade, orthodromic temporalis tendon transfer has become a favored facial reanimative procedure. The surgical technique, and important pre- and postoperative factors, are discussed.

Dynamic reconstruction of the paralyzed face, part II: Extensor digitorum brevis, serratus anterior, and anterolateral thigh

Rehabilitation of the paralyzed face requires consideration of the functional, esthetic, and psychological concerns of the afflicted patient. Lack of spontaneous facial animation significantly impairs the capacity to interact socially and convey emotion. With the advent of microneurovascular free tissue transfer, a new era of dynamic reconstruction was introduced, and symmetry with movement became a clinical reality. Although the gracilis is highly touted as the workhorse flap in facial reanimation surgery, a better understanding of flap physiology and neurovascular anatomy has contributed to the increased versatility in flap design while minimizing donor site morbidity. The purpose of this manuscript is to explore alternative donor muscle groups used in the surgical management of chronic facial paralysis and describe their operative technique, namely, the extensor digitorum brevis, serratus anterior, and anterolateral thigh flaps.

Rhabdomyosarcoma in middle ear of an adult: a rare presentation.

Rhabdomyosarcoma of the middle ear is a rare tumor, even rarer in adults and has a very poor prognosis. We report here an unusual case of rhabdomyosarcoma in middle ear of an adult, mimicking chronic suppurative otitis media and facial nerve palsy.

The rational of forehead lifting in patients with chronic facial paralysis

The incidence of permanent facial sequels in patients with Bell’s palsy is about 30 % and results in impaired mimic expression of both midface and forehead in varying degrees. Even at rest, most patients experience an imbalance of their facial features. In this article, static correction of brow imbalance was evaluated in patients with sequels after unilateral facial palsy. Thirty-one patients with sequels of Bell’s palsy underwent surgery with endoscopic forehead lift. Brow position was geometrically assessed pre- and postoperatively. The validated self-assessment instrument for quality of life [Short Form 36(SF-36)] was completed prior to and after surgery. The follow-up period was 12 months. A notable improvement in the position of the brows was demonstrated over time with lasting results. All patients experienced an improvement in facial symmetry and balance at rest. However, no significant difference could be shown using SF-36 pre- and postoperatively. Endoscopic forehead lift combined or as an isolated procedure is a valuable instrument to correct sequels of Bell’s palsy. Level of Evidence: Level IV, therapeutic study.

Hypereosinophilia and acute bilateral facial palsy: an unusual presentation of a common disease

A 60-year-old man presented with an acute, pruritic, erythematous rash associated with marked hypereosinophilia (2.34×109/l (0.04–0.40)). There was eosinophilic infiltration on hepatic, bone marrow and lymph node biopsies, with multiple...