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Advancesinfacial Reanimation: Vusala Snyder,, Ariel S. Frost,, Peter J. Ciolek
Advancesinfacial Reanimation: Vusala Snyder,, Ariel S. Frost,, Peter J. Ciolek
Reanimation
a, b b
Vusala Snyder, MD *, Ariel S. Frost, MD , Peter J. Ciolek, MD
KEYWORDS
Facial paralysis Cross-facial nerve graft Midface Nerve transfer
KEY POINTS
Patients with facial paralysis experience a wide variety of negative physical, psychologi-
cal, and social outcomes.
Successful outcomes of facial rehabilitation are predicated on appropriate patient selec-
tion and preoperative planning.
Early reconstructive techniques include primary repair, nerve grafts, and nerve transfers.
Delayed reconstructive techniques include regional muscle transfer and free tissue
transfers.
Static procedures are also an acceptable option for temporary facial paralysis when nerve
recovery is expected.
INTRODUCTION
a
Department of Otolaryngology, University of Pittsburgh, 203 Lothrop Street Suite 500,
Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA; b Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Head and Neck Institute,
Cleveland Clinic, 9500 Euclid Avenue A71, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
* Corresponding author.
E-mail address: snyderv3@upmc.edu
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600 Snyder et al
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Advances in Facial Reanimation 601
Hypoglossal nerve transfers. The original hypoglossal nerve transfer technique con-
sisted of sacrificing the entire hypoglossal nerve and anastomosing with the main
trunk of the facial nerve. This approach resulted in hemi-tongue atrophy and signifi-
cant morbidity including dysarthria, dysphagia, non-discrete facial movement, hyper-
tonicity, and synkinesis.18 Various modifications have been developed including the
use of interposition grafts, splitting and mobilizing a segment of the hypoglossal nerve
for anastomosis, and intratemporal mobilization of the facial nerve for anastomosis.
Duration for the return of function is 9 to 12 months, with only 41% of the patients
achieving good movement.19,20 Hypoglossal nerve transfer can produce good resting
tone but poor volitional movement and often severe synkinesis.
Masseteric nerve transfers. Smile restoration via masseteric nerve transfer procedure
involves anastomosis of an ipsilateral motor branch of the third division of the trigem-
inal cranial nerve to a distal branch of the facial nerve. It has become a frequently
favored option due to its proximity, size match, relative ease of dissection, and low
donor site morbidity.21,22 Given its rich motor input, masseteric nerve transfers can
be used for anastomosis to the main trunk or to a midface branch of the facial nerve.
Recent studies reported an average of 4.95 months to first movement following
masseteric nerve transfer.23 Time to recovery was quicker in patients undergoing
coaptation of the masseteric nerve to a midface branch of the facial nerve versus to
the main trunk.23,24 Limitations include non-spontaneous smile, inadequate tone
and symmetry at rest, and masseter muscle atrophy and weakness without significant
interference with oral intake.25
Cross-facial nerve grafts. When the proximal nerve stump is unavailable, the contra-
lateral unaffected facial nerve can provide motor axons to stimulate intentional and
spontaneous movement on the affected side. The cross-facial nerve graft (CFNG) in-
volves coaptation of the contralateral facial nerve branch to the affected cut distal
nerve with an interposition nerve graft. The variability of outcomes and long wait
time for reinnervation has led to the use of CFNG as an adjunct to other nerve transfer
procedures. CFNG procedures may be combined with “babysitter” procedures where
a hypoglossal or masseteric nerve transfer is performed concurrently with the first
stage of the CFNG to deliver neural input to the affected face.26 In the second stage,
the distal CFNG is anastomosed to recipient branches on the paralyzed side distal to
the original nerve transfer.
Traditionally, in a two-stage approach, the donor facial nerve is anastomosed to the
proximal end of the nerve graft, which is then positioned in the paralyzed face without
a distal coaptation for 6 to 8 months.21 In the second stage, the distal end of the graft is
anastomosed with the recipient injured facial nerve. Advantage of the two-stage
approach is a potential spontaneous recovery of the affected nerve, given no manip-
ulation of it at the time of the first stage.
In recent years, interest in the single-stage CFNG has increased to reduce the num-
ber of surgeries required. Benefits of the single-stage CFNG are neurotropic stimula-
tion from the distal anastomosis and limiting aberrant regeneration into the distal end
of the graft.21 Direct comparisons of two-stage and single-stage CFNGs are not
currently available. The limitations of CFNG include weakening of the uninvolved
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602 Snyder et al
side and lack of power, making this procedure less common unless used as a neural
source for a gracilis free muscle transfer.26
Temporalis muscle transfer. The temporalis muscle transfer is the most used regional
muscle transfer for dynamic restoration of facial paralysis. In the original temporalis
muscle transposition, a strip of muscle was elevated from the cranium and rotated
inferiorly over the zygoma to reach the oral commissure.28 Although the upward vector
of this rotation was favorable, it resulted in a donor site depression and midface bulk.
Various modifications of the temporalis transfer have been developed to minimize
morbidity and optimize outcomes. Split fascial graft extensions to the upper and lower
lip allow the temporalis muscle to pull the philtrum and lower lip back to midline.29 To
mitigate the risk of temporal fossa depression and midface fullness over the zygoma,
the temporalis tendon can be detached from the coronoid process and mobilized
down to the oral commissure (orthodromic temporalis tendon transfer). This technique
can be performed via a preauricular transzygomatic, transoral, or a transbuccal
approach via a nasolabial fold incision.30–32
Muscle transfers provide no spontaneous movements; therefore, the role of retrain-
ing and biofeedback cannot be overstated.
Latissimus dorsi. The latissimus dorsi free tissue transfer was initially described as a
two-stage approach for restoration of facial symmetry, tone, and expression. A modi-
fied, single-stage technique has since been developed to provide appropriate
contraction during smiling.33 Conventionally, the flap was harvested with the patient
in prone or lateral decubitus position, which did not allow for a two-team approach.
It has not gained popularity despite modifications such as axillary approach, given lim-
itations such as donor site morbidity, flap bulk, and availability of other options.34,35
Gracilis. Gracilis free tissue transfer provides a reliable neurovascular pedicle and re-
mains the gold standard for restoration of oral commissure.13 Numerous studies
demonstrate success of rehabilitation in adult and pediatric patients, yet expanded
array of techniques exist regarding surgical technique.
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Advances in Facial Reanimation 603
higher rates of successful oral commissure excursion were seen with masseteric nerve
innervation.36,37
The choice of CFNG versus masseteric innervation is patient-dependent, with the
tradeoff of a spontaneous smile versus a bite-activated smile, respectively.
Single Versus Two-Staged Approaches
CFNG innervation of a free gracilis muscle transfer is traditionally a 2-stage procedure
over 6 to 9 months, to allow for adequate neural regeneration across the nerve graft,
but can be performed in a single stage depending on patient preference. Conventional
two-staged free gracilis transfer innervated by CFNG continues to be favored due to
yielding better symmetry at rest.38
Dual Innervation Approaches
To improve oral commissure excursion and spontaneous smile outcomes, dual inner-
vation of the gracilis with the masseteric nerve and the CFNG was developed.39
Several coaptation patterns and modifications have been described since 2012.
One such modification was a novel single-stage gracilis free tissue transferred with
dual innervation by the masseteric nerve anastomosed end-to-end to an obturator
nerve and a CFNG coapted end-to-side distal to the masseteric neurorrhaphy.39
Several studies have demonstrated successful spontaneous smile restoration with ad-
ditive desirable excursion with teeth clenching.39,40 Most of the facial nerve experts
favor a single-stage gracilis free tissue transfer dually innervated via end-to-end
masseteric and end-to-side CFNG coaptations.37,41
Other neurorrhaphy patterns for neural supply to a gracilis free transfer exist, but are
beyond the scope of this article.
Multivector Approaches
A genuine (Duchenne) smile results from multivector and multi-zonal activation of
several facial muscles, with the most prominent being the zygomaticus major and le-
vator labii muscles (Fig. 1). Resultant simultaneous elevation of the upper lip and oral
commissure, dental display, and periocular wrinkling are described as a positive
display of emotion.42 In attempts to restore the dynamic smile display zones, multivec-
tor free gracilis transfers have been developed. In one such approach, two muscle
paddles are oriented independently of each other and inserted along two vectors.43
Successful functional outcomes are the improved oral commissure symmetry and
lip excursion in two dimensions. When inserted close to the lateral orbital region, a
favorable dynamic periorbital wink is observed, which is characteristic of a genuine
(Duchenne) smile.43
Most recently, a novel gracilis free tissue transfer approach was described using a
trivector approach, including a periocular component to achieve a Duchenne smile
(Fig. 2). In this technique, three muscle bellies are created from the harvested gracilis,
two of which are placed with the intention of creating a natural multivector smile. The
third vector is oriented to create a dynamic contraction in the periocular region and is
draped from medial to lateral canthus.44 Marked dynamic reduction in MRD2 (distance
from the pupil center to the lower eyelid), as well as a marked improvement in dental
displayed, was reported.44
Static Techniques
For patients who seek enhancement of existing outcomes, or are poor surgical candi-
dates for dynamic reanimation, static procedures are a great option to restore some
facial symmetry. Static procedures are also an acceptable option for temporary facial
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604 Snyder et al
Fig. 1. Left: Non-Duchenne or social smile. Right: Duchenne or genuine smile with raised
cheeks raised oral commissure and periocular wrinkling. (Courtesy of Dr. Marianne LaFrance,
Ph.D.).
paralysis when nerve recovery is expected. Static techniques can be used for repair-
ing specific cosmetic or functional deficits of the periorbital and perioral regions and to
address nasal obstruction due to nasal valve collapse.
Fig. 2. Patient with a unilateral congenital facial paralysis with a Duchenne smile following
a trivector gracilis free tissue transfer for facial reanimation. (Courtesy of Sergio and
Carolina Gonzalez.).
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Advances in Facial Reanimation 605
involves coaptation of the lateral aspects of the upper and lower lid tarsal plates. Tar-
sorrhaphies are typically reserved to address exposure keratitis or loss of the corneal
sensation.45
In treatment of a paralytic lower eyelid ectropion, lateral tarsal strip technique can be
used to shorten the horizontal aperture. Alternatively, a medial canthopexy can be per-
formed to address medial paralytic ectropion of the lower eyelid using a precaruncu-
lar, transcaruncular or transcutaneous approach.45,46
Brow
Brow ptosis can affect cosmesis and visual acuity. Numerous treatment approaches
for brow lift have been described and are beyond the scope of this review.46,47
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606 Snyder et al
Fig. 3. Selective depressor anguli oris (DAO) myectomy. Left: Isolating and dividing DAO
muscle. Right: Confirming a complete division of DAO muscle with visualization of subder-
mal fat.
SUMMARY
FINANCIAL DISCLOSURES
None.
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Advances in Facial Reanimation 607
CONFLICT OF INTEREST
None.
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