Integrated Approaches for Reconstruction of Facial Paralysis

Facial paralysis can affect periorbital muscles, oral competence, and facial expressions with significant facial deformities, which could occur in either children or adults with variable severity, duration, and degree of recovery.

The present study was aimed to delineate treatment plans for facial paralysis with different clinical scenarios and to report the results of these patients.

Patients were grouped according to different presentations as follows: (1) facial paralysis with incomplete recovery; (2) young patients of facial paralysis without recovery; (3) senile patients of facial palsy without recovery; (4) combined facial palsy with mandibular deficiency, vascularized bone reconstruction for mandible with (a) subsequent muscle transfer or (b) simultaneous sling operation or (c) simultaneous facial nerve exploration and cross nerve grafting; (5) palsy of frontal branch of facial nerve; (6) palsy of zygomatic-buccal branch of facial nerve; (7) palsy of marginal mandibular branch of facial nerve; (8) partial recovery with dyskinesia; and (9) facial paralysis with dynamic asymmetry and muscle atrophy. According to clinical scenarios, different treatment plans were provided, and clinical outcomes were evaluated and presented.

All patient groups achieved fair or satisfactory outcomes. Revisions using sling procedures, botulinum toxin injection, and filler or fat graft as supplement further refined the ultimate outcomes.

For reconstruction of facial paralysis, individualized integrated treatment plans are mandatory according to the presentation and condition of the patient. Comprehensive considerations and strategic solutions for the existing disabilities have been appreciated by the patients. The least numbers of operations with considerate correction of asymmetry were the major concerns of the patients.