Cross-face nerve grafting in facial paralysis

Facial paralysis causes a most disturbing deformity with functional, emotional and social consequences for the people afflicted. Since a few years most promising advances in the treatment of facial palsy have been developed and new ways of surgical management have been introduced. Cross-face nerve grafting connects the non-paralysed facial nerve branches to the paralyzed ones and by these means realizes a reanimation of the paralyzed side of the face. Fourteen cases have been operated according to this technique. The results of 10 cases with a sufficient follow-up are analysed. Good and satisfactory results were obtained in 8 cases. Two cases were considered bad with poor recovery of facial muscle activity. The overall results of cross-face nerve grafting are very gratifying. The technique should always be attempted in first instance. Other substitutional methods for further improvement should be reserved for later.