Mental Nerve Sensory Restoration in Pediatric Patients Using Cross-Facial Nerve Grafting

Facial sensation has significant functional importance. Loss of sensation in the lower lip can cause significant morbidity, including the inability to detect dislodged food, drooling, and injury. The value of reinnervating lower lip sensation lies in mitigating these complications and enhancing functional recovery and social interaction. Cross-facial nerve grafting techniques can be used to restore facial sensation. We describe our technique and outcomes of 2 pediatric patients who underwent mental nerve sensory restoration with sural nerve cross-facial nerve grafting. The intact contralateral mental nerve was used as the donor nerve using an end-to-side neurorrhaphy via intraoral incisions. Both patients had restoration of lower lip sensation on Semmes-Weinstein monofilament testing. Donor site changes were imperceptible to the patients.