Facial reanimation in Möbius syndrome

The psychosocial deformity associated with total lack of facial animation (as seen in Möbius syndrome) is an extremely crippling situation. This inability to show happiness, sadness, or anger by facial expression frequently results in severe introversion and a reclusive personality. Restoration of even a minimal degree of controlled facial movement is beneficial. Recent experience in the treatment of two patients with this syndrome using both dynamic and static procedures has been most rewarding. Operating simultaneously on both sides of the face poses some problems that are different from those in teh patient with unilateral paralysis. The operative details are described, with preoperative and postoperative evaluation.