Marin-Amat Syndrome: A Case Report of a Rare Facial Synkinesis Following Traumatic Facial Nerve Injury

Marin-Amat syndrome is a rare form of facial synkinesis resulting from aberrant connections between the trigeminal and facial nerves. This condition manifests as involuntary eyelid closure upon voluntary jaw movement. It is distinct from the more common Marcus Gunn jaw-winking syndrome (MGJWS), which involves upper eyelid elevation during mastication. Here, we reported a case of a 64-year-old woman who developed this syndrome following combat-related maxillofacial trauma to the lateral mandible, which resulted in a left facial nerve injury. After her mandibular fractures were stabilized using 2 mm plates, her medical history was notable only for hypothyroidism. Six months post-injury, and following an attempted free fibula flap procedure, the patient began experiencing involuntary facial movements. These symptoms caused significant social discomfort and difficulty with eating. Treatment options, including botulinum toxin and surgery, were discussed; however, the patient opted for a conservative management approach.