Plastic surgery of facial paresis

Injury to the facial nerve may cause imbalance of the face at rest as well as distorted, imbalanced facial expressions and an asymmetrical smile. Facial paralysis can occur in both adults and children. In children, it is usually the result of developmental birth defects or after brain tumor resection. The loss of facial muscle tone results in a downward droop of the brow, eyelid, nostril, lip, and cheek on the side of the face that is paralyzed. When the dynamic muscles of the lip and cheek are compromised, the result is abnormal lip and oral function that affects chewing, retaining fluid while drinking, speech patterns, and communication.

Language: English French. Facial paralysis presents a significant and challenging reconstructive problem for plastic surgeons. An aesthetically pleasing and acceptable outcome requires not only good surgical skills and techniques, but also knowledge of facial nerve anatomy and an understanding of the causes of facial paralysis. The loss of the ability to move the face has both social and functional consequences for the patient. Functionally, patients present with unilateral or bilateral loss of voluntary and nonvoluntary facial muscle movements.

Facial paralysis can make it difficult to speak, blink, swallow or smile. When facial paralysis does not resolve on its own, surgery can address the problem. Result after two stage cross facial nerve graft and Gracilis flap for smile restoration to correct right sided facial paralysis resulting from resection of acoustic neuroma.

Jump to content. Facial nerve paralysis is a condition in which the nerve that moves the muscles of facial expression no longer works properly. The most common cause of facial paralysis is Bell's Palsy, which is thought to represent a viral infection of the facial nerve.