Clinical observation of masseter-to-facial nerve anastomosis for treatment of facial paralysis / 中华显微外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To evaluate the efficiency and functional improvement of masseter-to-facial nerve transfer for patients who acquired a proximal iniury to the facial nerve and preliminary determine the influence factors for recovery.Methods From January,2015 to May,2016,the clinical data of 6 patients with facial paralysis underwent nerve anastomosis were analyzed retrospectively.These patients were required to come back to the hospital for a check every 3 months,in order to evaluate their facial nerve function.House-Brackmnann(H-B)grading was used to evaluate the pre-oerative,post-operative and follow-up status.The masseter-to-facial nerve anastomosis was performed in all the 6 patients.Results All patients were followed-up.The mean time of follow-up was 16 months (ranged from 6 to 23 months).Among 6 cases,the facial nerve function was improved in 5 cases,unchanged in 1 case.The postoperative H-B grades were Ⅱ in 3 cases,Ⅲ in 2 cases.The improvement of facial paralysis was most significant for orbicularis muscles,followed by the orbicularis oculi muscles,and the worst was the improvement of frontal muscles.Conclusion Masseter-to-facial nerve transfer anatomosis is a useful treatment for facial paralysis and can improve the facial function.