Secondary Improvement in Static Facial Reanimation Surgeries: Increase of Nasal Function

The aim of this study was to measure the effect of the static reanimation operation administered to patients with facial paralysis on nasal function area by comparing patients' preoperative and postoperative subjective perception of the nasal airflow.

We applied the Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation (NOSE) scale to 13 patients who underwent static reanimation because of facial palsies, both preoperatively and postoperatively, and results were compared statistically. The changes in nasal base angulation were recorded and compared based on the photographs of patients taken before and after the surgery.

Following the static reanimation operation, 76% (10/13) of the patients reported a subjective improvement in the nasal airflow, whereas 24% (3/13) did not report any change. Mean preoperative and postoperative NOSE scale scores were 66.92 ± 9.90 and 36.15 ± 9.61, respectively. The change in mean NOSE scale score was statistically significant (P < 0.001). In the preoperative and postoperative comparison of the photographs taken from the front view of the patients, a decreased nasal base angulation compared with preoperative period was detected in 8 (61.6%) patients.

A statistically significant increase in subjective perception about nasal function was observed after the static facial reanimation; however, it is not certain whether this effect can be considered persistent. Long-term studies conducted on a larger patient population will provide beneficial results.