The term facial palsy generally refers to weakness of the facial muscles, mainly resulting from temporary or permanent damage to the facial nerve.
When a facial nerve is either non-functioning or missing, the muscles in the face do not receive the necessary signals in order to function properly. This results in paralysis of the affected part of the face, which can affect movement of the eye(s) and/or the mouth, as well as other areas.
There are different degrees of facial paralysis: sometimes only the lower half of the face is affected, sometimes one whole side of the face is affected and in some cases both sides of the face are affected.
The options that are considered for Facial palsy are dependent on the location where the facial nerve is injured.Facial paly – Reanimation of the face
Dynamic and static reconstruction procedures are employed for facial reanimation in patients suffering from facial nerve paralysis.
However, dynamic strategies tend to be more successful and fruitful and are offered to each patient considering reconstruction, unless health risk contraindications exist.
The most common approaches for reconstruction are direct facial nerve repair with or without grafting, nerve transfer, cross-facial nerve grafting, and muscle transfer (either regional muscle or free-muscle neurotized transfer
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Facial nerve denervation and paralysis imposes significant psychological and functional impairment.
Facial paralysis can inhibit and mar facial expression, communication, symmetrical smile, eye protection, and oral competence.
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