Treatment Of Long-standing Facial Paralysis Research Articles

Modified McLaughlin's Dynamic Muscle Support in the 21st Century? A Retrospective Study With a Prospective Follow-Up Analysis for Patients With Long Standing Facial Paralysis.

Facial nerve paralysis can dramatically affect the life of a patient as it leads to significant alterations of the facial symmetry and functional limitations. Various methods exist including free neuromuscular flaps to reanimate patients suffering from uni- or even bilateral facial nerve paralysis. The more than 60-year-old technique described by McLaughlin continues to offer an alternative with distinct advantages for the individual patient. The present study aimed to evaluate clinical outcome and satisfaction of patients treated with a modified McLaughlin's Dynamic Muscle Support. A total of 13 patients (mean age of 58.4 years) who received a modified McLaughlin's Dynamic Muscle Support due to uni- or bilateral long-standing facial paralysis were included. Medical records were reviewed retrospectively, and patients were contacted for additional follow-up. Patients who agreed to participate in the follow-up study were asked to answer a self-developed questionnaire. In all patients, a rehabilitation of facial symmetry with an improvement of the mimic expression could be achieved. Mean length of inpatient stay was 6.5 days and average duration of surgery was 121 minutes. No surgical site infection occurred. Mean follow-up was 23 months. Most of the patients were fully satisfied with the result and could experience functional and esthetic improvement.Patients who participated in the prospective follow-up study were very satisfied with the esthetic result and functional outcome. Even in times of advanced microsurgical techniques, McLaughlin's Dynamic Muscle Support appears to be a good alternative for the successful treatment of long-standing facial paralysis.

Sternocleidomastoid Muscle Transfer for Treatment of Longstanding Facial Paralysis: Long-term Outcomes and Complications.

The use of sternocleidomastoid muscle (SCM) flap for facial reanimation was established in the 1980s by the senior author of this paper. We aimed to analyze long-term outcome and complications of this procedure. We conducted a retrospective chart review of all patients undergoing SCM reanimation for longstanding facial palsy between January 2009 and December 2015. Patients with follow-up longer than 12 months (range=12-96) were included in the study. Facial muscle function was evaluated before and at each follow-up after the surgery with the House-Brackmann (HB) scale-facial nerve grading system and Facegram analysis. Donor site morbidity and overall complication rates were documented and analyzed. Forty-two patients aged 18-66 years (mean age=37) with a mean duration of facial palsy of 5 years (range=2-48) met the inclusion criteria. The HB score 2 years after surgery improved significantly (p<0.05) in comparison to the pre-operative condition (3.6 vs. 4.7). Twelve months after surgery, oral commissure excursion improved by mean 8.95 mm. No flap necrosis occurred, nor compromise of neck and shoulder function despite an obvious contour defect in the SCM donor site. None of the patients presented head posture or movement issues. The SCM flap transfer is a reliable and effective procedure to achieve moderate improvement of the oral commissure excursion using a local method with moderate donor site morbidity. It can be regarded as a valuable option for dynamic facial reanimation in case of longstanding facial palsy.

Facial Animation With Free Functional Gracilis Transfer Innervated by the Cross-Facial Nerve Graft.

The treatment of long-standing facial paralysis has always been a challenge for plastic surgery. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate that the free functional gracilis transfer innervated by the cross-facial nerve graft (CFNG) is still an ideal option, even though there are many new surgical options available. A retrospective survey was made on 12 patients who received free functional gracilis transfer innervated by the CFNG. A modified version of the House-Brackmann scale was used to evaluate the movement of the corners of mouth after surgery. Patients were also asked about their satisfaction with the operation. In addition, an objective test was performed to assess the postoperative angle improvement by measuring the angle formed between the horizontal line of both corners of the lips and the vertical midline. All grafts survived well. No severe complication occurred. Three patients received further surgical operations for aesthetic reasons. The movement of the corners of mouth was classified as excellent in 8 cases, good in three cases, and fair in one cases. The static angle and dynamic angle of postoperation improved and the range of dynamic angle improvement was larger than that of static angle. Free functional gracilis transfer innervated by the CFNG is an ideal technique for facial paralysis. It can effectively improve the facial dynamic of the affected side.

Endoscopic access to fascia lata for use in static facial reanimation—a cadaveric and clinical study

Background Current methods of autogenous fascia lata harvest for the static surgical treatment of longstanding facial paralysis often result in a high level of donor site morbidity and unsightly visual scarring on the patient’s lateral thigh due to the open technique traditionally used. With endoscopic access already being widely used in other areas of plastic and reconstructive surgery, it was hypothesised that it would be feasible to retrieve sufficient amounts of fascia lata endoscopically to achieve satisfactory static facial reanimation.

Fifteen-year survey of one-stage latissimus dorsi muscle transfer for treatment of longstanding facial paralysis

Neurovascular free muscle transfer is one of the main reconstructive options for established or long-standing facial paralysis. The two-stage gracilis muscle transfer combined with the cross-face nerve graft (two-stage method) has been supplanted by one-stage reconstruction using the latissimus dorsi muscle (LD) at our institution. This study retrospectively evaluated the results of one-stage LD transfer. Between September 1993 and December 2008, 344 patients (133 males, 211 females; age range, 5-75 years) with unilateral facial paralysis underwent 351 one-stage LD transfers. Patients were evaluated with a custom grading scale. Differences in grading scale score were compared according to age, past surgical history and the duration from operation to neuromuscular recovery. Contraction of the transferred muscle was recognised in 305 (87.0%) transfers. The duration until neuromuscular recovery ranged from 3 to 16 months (average±standard deviation: 6.48±1.92 months). The grading scale was significantly lower in middle-age group than in younger and elder groups (P<0.01). Duration until neuromuscular recovery was significantly different when comparing the younger group and the oldest group. There was no difference in grading scale score or in duration until neuromuscular recovery when comparing the patients with a past surgical history and those without. The grading scale negatively correlated with the duration until neuromuscular recovery. The results are consistent and statistical analysis revealed the versatility of the one-stage LD transfer. Although we believe the two-stage method is still a good option for facial reanimation, the one-stage method is advantageous regarding the shorter period of recovery and little donor-site morbidity.

Modification of the Orthodromic Temporalis Tendon Transfer Technique for Reanimation of the Paralyzed Face

To report a modification of the temporalis tendon transfer technique used in facial paralysis where dynamic adjacent muscle transfer is determined to be the best treatment option. Case series with chart review. Tertiary care teaching hospital. Review of 10 consecutive patients who underwent orthodromic transfer of the temporalis tendon and the attached coronoid process for the treatment of longstanding facial paralysis. Outcomes measured included patient satisfaction, measurements of oral commissure elevation with smiling, and grading of preoperative and postoperative patient photographs by objective physician observers. Reporting of complications. Patient satisfaction was high, with a mean score of 7.0 (possible score of 10). Four patients were graded by the observer as excellent to superb. The other 6 patients were rated as having fair to good postoperative results. Movement was identified in every patient and ranged from 2.1 to 9.3 mm, with mean movement of the oral commissure of 5.12 mm. One patient developed a seroma at the site of harvest of the fascia that was drained without further complication. This facial reanimation procedure is a novel modification of the temporalis tendon transfer technique in which the coronoid process is transferred in conjunction with the tendon. This technique is minimally invasive and may result in less variability of the postoperative aesthetic result. The procedure allows orthodromic action of the temporalis muscle, is relatively easy to perform, and eliminates the facial asymmetry typically produced by transfer of the origin of the temporalis muscle.

Revisiting Orthodromic Temporalis Transfer in Treating Long-Standing Facial Paralysis

The treatment of long-standing facial paralysis through temporalis muscle transfer has stood the test of time. Herein, we present a modification in temporalis muscle transfer for lower facial reanimation. Instead of the traditional stripping of the temporalis muscle from its origin, its insertion is stripped from the coronoid process through an intraoral approach. The detached fibers were then sutured to a fascia lata graft, which was passed and secured to the orbicularis oris to reanimate the corner of the mouth. The procedure is less extensive and provides a direct "orthodromic" line of pull with good muscular excursion and power. This simple procedure has been applied to 12 consecutive cases with long-standing complete facial paralysis presenting to the Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Clinic at the Ain-Shams University Hospital over the past 2 years. In addition to symmetry at rest, this easy procedure allowed for good movement of the corner of the mouth with restoration of a balanced smile.

Extensor digitorum brevis and extensor hallusis brevis transplantation for treatment of long-standing facial paralysis

To evaluate the efficacy of free transplantation of denervated muscles and vessels in the treatment of long-standing facial paralysis. A total of 26 patients with facial paralysis (10 males and 16 females, aged 16-65 years, mean: 47 years) were enrolled in this study to receive transplantation of denervated extensor digitorum brevis (EDB) and extensor hallusis brevis (EHB). The muscle tendon was slung to the ala nasi, the middle point of the nasolabial sulcus, the angulus oris and the chin to correct the nasal and oral deformity. The muscle belly was buried around the nerves that innervated the masseter muscle. Microsurgery was applied to anastomosing the tarsus lateral vessels to the superficial temporalis vessels. After operation, all the patients immediately obtained satisfied static appearance. The movement of the paralyzed corner of the mouth could be obtained one month later and the smile of the paralyzed side could be restored after 3 months of training. And 88% patients achieved perfect results, 8% obtained satisfactory results, and 4% got improvement 6 months after operation according to Stennert's paresis scoring system. Free transplantation of denervated muscles and vessels for the treatment of long-standing facial paralysis, which seldom causes atrophy or liquefaction of the transferred muscles, can maintain muscle viability and induce reliable nerve regeneration. Therefore, it is a safe and efficient treatment method for the patients suffering from facial paralysis.

Temporalis Tendon Transfer as Part of a Comprehensive Approach to Facial Reanimation

To report an approach to facial paralysis in patients for whom dynamic adjacent muscle transfer is determined to be the best treatment option. Retrospective review of 7 consecutive patients who underwent orthodromic transfer of the temporalis muscle insertion for the treatment of long-standing facial paralysis. Patients underwent facial-retraining physical therapy before and shortly after the procedure. Outcomes measured included patient satisfaction, objective measurements of oral commissure elevation with smiling, and physician grading of preoperative and postoperative patient photographs. Medical records were reviewed for complications. Patient satisfaction was high, with a mean score of 8.5 (possible score of 10). Four patients were physician graded as excellent to superb. The other 3 patients were rated as having good postoperative results. Movement was identified in every patient and ranged from 1.6 to 8.5 mm, with mean movement of the oral commissure of 4.2 mm. One patient developed postoperative salivary fluid collection that required drainage. Temporalis tendon transfer is a relatively easy procedure to perform that has distinct advantages compared with other forms of facial reanimation and provides very good results. This procedure results in improved form and function, may often be performed in a minimally invasive manner, and eliminates the facial asymmetry typically produced by temporalis transfer.

Abstracts

Abstracts

Effects of Mime Therapy in the Treatment of Longstanding Facial Paralysis

Effects of Mime Therapy in the Treatment of Longstanding Facial Paralysis

Revascularized muscle transfer for facial reanimation after long-standing facial paralysis

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the results of a group of patients who had received free vascularized muscle transfer to the face for the treatment of long-standing facial paralysis. In 15 patients, neurovascular transfer of 16 segments of the gracilis muscle to the cheek was performed for reanimation of oral commissure movement. Voluntary muscle activation was evaluated by electromyography (EMG) and clinical function was assessed both metrically from frontal photographs and by a rating system with 6 categories. Patient satisfaction was explored through a self-administered questionnaire of general health (SF-36 health survey). The average follow-up period was 49.3 months. All patients showed voluntary activation of the grafted muscles in the EMG. Symmetry of the static and dynamic position of the oral commissure at rest and under function was considerably improved. In general, however, there was a tendency for undercorrection particularly in a vertical direction. Under function, the excursion of the oral commissure on the grafted side reached 63.7% and 65.5% of the nonparetic side in vertical and horizontal directions, respectively. Subjective rating of patient well-being showed that the scores were higher than or comparable to those of healthy adults in six of eight areas of evaluation.

Refined microneurovascular free muscle transplantation for reanimation of paralyzed face.

Our first clinical success in microneurovascular free muscle transplantation for treatment of long-standing facial paralysis was in 1973. The author introduces his recent technical refinements of this clinical procedure and the results obtained.

Hypoglossal-Facial Nerve Anastomosis for Reinnervation of the Paralyzed Face

The hypoglossal-facial nerve crossover is a valuable surgical procedure for the treatment of certain types of facial paralysis. It is most effective when used as an integral part of a primary ablative operation for the treatment of cancer in this region. In the treatment of long-standing facial paralysis, its application requires an intact peripheral facial nerve system and some functioning mimetic muscles with an obliterated proximal facial nerve segment. It is recognized that other procedures are available for repair in patients who meet essentially these same criteria. The disadvantages are minimal intraoral crippling, mass movements of the face and, in some instances, hypertonia of the face. The advantages are improved facial tone, protection of the eye, intentional facial movements controlled by the tongue, and movements associated with physiological functions of the tongue.