Facial Nerve Translocation for Low Tension Neurorrhaphy to Masseteric Nerve

The techniques of facial reanimation are continually evolving in search of the ideal method for rehabilitating the paralyzed face. In the past, alternative cranial nerve motor nuclei have been used to power facial musculature. The trigeminal nerve is gaining popularity as a promising nerve to drive facial motion, particularly in the lower face.

This article describes a low-tension technique of using the transposed facial nerve to the trigeminal nerve (masseteric branch) for facial reanimation.

Six patients over 2.5 years were treated with facial nerve translocation with division at the geniculate and direct neurorrhaphy to the motor branch of the masseter. Patients were evaluated by physical examination, measurement of oral commissure excursion using MEEI FACE-gram software, video assessment, Sunnybrook Facial Grading System, Facial Disability Index, and Facial Clinimetric Evaluation Scale (FaCE).

Patients demonstrated early motion within 4 months postoperatively and were placed into facial physical therapy. All demonstrated improvements in oral competence, strong oral commissure excursion with good symmetry, speech improvements, and variable results in facial tone. Synkinesis to the smile antagonists in the lower face was noted and treated with chemodenervation in three of six. No upper division synkinesis was noted.

The motor branch of the trigeminal nerve is an effective option for facial reanimation via facial nerve translocation and end-to-end neurorrhaphy. Variable results in facial tone were noted with excellent oral commissure excursion. This procedure is safe in the reoperated mastoid.