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Updated: Jun 7, 2025

Single-stage Dynamic Reanimation of the Smile in Irreversible Facial Paralysis by Free Functional Muscle Transfer
Published on: March 1, 2015
Updates in Free Muscle Transfers for Smile Reanimation
Gaelen Stanford-Moore1, Skylar Trott1, Mark K Wax1
1Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, Oregon Health and Science University, 3303 S. Bond Street, Building 1, 5th Floor, Portland, OR 97230, USA.
Abstract:
Facial paralysis severely impacts a person's ability to interact with the world. Advances in microsurgery, especially free neurotized muscle transfers, have greatly improved reanimation outcomes. The gracilis free muscle transfer, introduced in 1971, is the most widely used procedure for long-standing flaccid paralysis. This review covers recent innovations in gracilis reanimation, including vector design and neurotization options, and introduces the free strap muscle for dynamic facial reanimation.
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