Corneal neurotisation by great auricular nerve transfer and scleral-corneal tunnel incisions for neurotrophic keratopathy.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Medical management of neurotrophickeratopathy is challenging and costly. Supra-orbital nerve transfer to thecornea has proven effective for management of keratopathy, but yieldsconsiderable donor site morbidity. Herein, a novel technique for reinnervationof the anaesthetic cornea is presented and early results characterised. METHODS: Sensory fibres of the ipsilateral greatauricular nerve were directed via an interposition graft to the anteriorcorneal stroma using scleral-corneal tunnel incisions in two patients withgrade III neurotrophic keratopathy. RESULTS: Improvements in visual acuity, cornealpachymetry, corneal esthesiometry, and corneal neurotisation as assessed by invivo confocal microscopy were observed within nine months of surgery in bothpatients. CONCLUSION: Corneal neurotisation by interposition grafttransfer of great auricular nerve fibres via scleral-corneal tunnel incisionsappears effective in the management of neurotrophic keratopathy.

Corneal Neurotization With a Great Auricular Nerve Graft: Effective Reinnervation Demonstrated by In Vivo Confocal Microscopy.

PURPOSE: We describe the first case of minimally invasive corneal neurotization with the great auricular nerve (GAN) to treat unilateral neurotrophic keratopathy. We assessed corneal sensation and reinnervation by esthesiometry and confocal microscopy over 12 months of follow-up, and we provide a detailed description of the surgical technique. METHODS: Corneal neurotization was successfully achieved with the ipsilateral GAN in a 58-year-old woman. Cochet-Bonnet esthesiometry and in vivo confocal microscopy were performed before and after corneal neurotization, to monitor the recovery of corneal sensation and corneal reinnervation by subbasal nerve fibers. RESULTS: Neurotrophic keratopathy was a complication of the surgical treatment of meningioma. Before surgery, the patient had no corneal sensation or corneal innervation. Six months after surgery, confocal microscopy confirmed regrowth of a large number of nerve fibers in the subepithelial space of the cornea. Nine months after surgery, a central esthesiometry score of 10-mm was attained. CONCLUSIONS: Corneal neurotization leads to reinnervation of the cornea and recovery of ocular sensation in adults. The GAN is suitable for use in corneal neurotization because of its anatomical proximity and the low level of associated morbidity. Confocal microscopy demonstrated the occurrence of corneal reinnervation, which preceded the recovery of corneal sensation.

Endoscopic Corneal Neurotization: Cadaver Feasibility Study.

PURPOSE: The authors describe a cadaver feasibility study investigating a minimally invasive technique for corneal neurotization with the supraorbital nerve harvested endoscopically. METHODS: A cadaver study was performed to investigate the technical feasibility of corneal neurotization via endoscopic supraorbital nerve transfer to the corneoscleral limbus. RESULTS: Endoscopic corneal neurotization was successfully performed on each cadaveric hemiface. CONCLUSION: The use of an endoscope allows for a minimally invasive approach to corneal neurotization with the supraorbital nerve.

The Deep Temporal Nerve Transfer: An Anatomical Feasibility Study and Implications for Upper Facial Reanimation.

BACKGROUND: Facial paralysis has a profound impact on the brow, and currently static procedures are the mainstay of treatment. The deep temporal branches of the trigeminal nerve, given their proximity to the brow, may serve as possible donor nerves for both potential innervation of a free muscle transfer in patients with prolonged facial palsy or nerve transfers in acute or subacute palsy. As such, the authors present the detailed surgical anatomy of the deep temporal nerve, assessing feasibility for both functional muscle and nerve transfers, including a proposed surgical technique. METHODS: Thirty cadaver hemifaces were dissected to establish deep temporal nerve anatomy and perform axonal analysis. RESULTS: Two (53 percent) or three (47 percent) divisions of the deep temporal nerve were noted, with the most consistent division being the middle division (30 of 30 specimens). This division was consistently found approximately 4.1 cm (range, 3.7 to 4.5 cm) anterior to the tragus at the level of the zygomatic arch. For each 1 cm cranial to the arch, the nerve courses approximately 1 mm posteriorly. The number of axons in the proposed temporal branch is 1469 as it emerges from behind the zygomatic arch, 889 at 1 cm, 682 at 2 cm, 534 at 3 cm, 355 at 4 cm, 377 at 5 cm, and 256 at 6 cm. CONCLUSION: Given its anatomical consistency, and expendability, the middle division of the deep temporal nerve is a viable donor nerve for dynamic upper facial reanimation with either nerve transfer or functional muscle transfer, depending on the length of facial palsy. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, V.

Nerve Transfer for Facial Paralysis Under Intravenous Sedation and Local Analgesia for the High Surgical Risk Elderly Patient.

BACKGROUND: This case report describes an 86-year-old woman with complete peripheral right-sided facial paralysis resulting from resection of a cervical lipoma 14 months before surgery. CASE DESCRIPTION: Because of the high anesthetic risk, a masseter to facial nerve transfer was performed under combined light sedation and local anesthetic. Good functional and aesthetic outcomes were noted without complications. CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, nerve transfers under light sedation and local anesthesia have not been described in the literature and may be useful in elderly patients with significant comorbidities.

Facial reanimation after acoustic neuroma resection: options and timing of intervention.

Facial paralysis following acoustic neuroma (AN) resection can be devastating, but timely and strategic intervention can minimize the resulting facial morbidity. A central strategy in reanimating the paralyzed face after AN resection is to restore function of the native facial muscles using available facial nerves or repurposed cranial nerves, mainly the hypoglossal or masseter nerves. The timing of reinnervation is the single most influential factor that determines outcomes in facial reanimation surgery. The rate of recovery of facial function in the first 6 months following AN resection may be used to predict ultimate facial function. Patients who show no signs of recovery in the first 6 months, even when their facial nerves are intact, recover poorly and are candidates for early facial reinnervation. With delay, facial muscles become irreversibly paralyzed. Reanimation in irreversible paralysis requires the transfer of functional muscle units such as the gracilis or the temporalis muscle tendon unit.

How do I manage an acute injury to the facial nerve?

Paralysis of the facial nerve is a cause of considerable functional and aesthetic disfigurement. Damage to the upper trunk can result in eye complications with the risk of exposure keratitis. Numerous factors influence the therapeutic strategy: the cause of the injury, the time elapsed since injury, functional impairment, and the likelihood of recovery. We discuss the management of an acute injury to the facial nerve and focus on the surgical options.

Anatomic study of full facial and scalp allografts without cutaneous facial scars.

Conventional reconstructive procedures for face and scalp reconstruction fall short of aesthetic and functional goals because of the unique quality and quantity of facial and scalp soft tissue. The purpose of this cadaver study was to demonstrate the feasibility of a flap design for full face and scalp composite tissue allotransplantation, without cutaneous facial scars. Six fresh human cadavers were dissected with sagittal scalp and mucosal incisions for full face and scalp harvest without cutaneous facial incisions. Sub-galeal and sub-SMAS dissection allowed for inclusion of the external carotid and internal jugular systems. Time of facial-scalp flap harvesting, length of the arterial and venous pedicles, length of sensory nerves (that were included in the facial flaps) and approximate surface area of the flaps were measured. Three of six flaps were transferred to recipient cadavers and the time of transfer was recorded. As a proof of concept, the external carotid arteries of one of six cadavers was flushed to remove clots and perfused with a radio-opaque latex polymer, Microfil (Flow Tech Inc.), to study flap perfusion by X-ray imaging. In the donor cadaver, the mean harvesting time of the total facial-scalp flap was 105 ± 19 minutes. The mean length of the supraorbital, infraorbital, mental and great auricular nerves were 1.3 ± 0.2, 1.3 ± 0.1, 1.3 ± 0.1, and 4.8 ± 0.6 cm, respectively. The mean length of the external carotid artery and external jugular vein were 8.7 ± 0.3 and 9.2 ± 0.4 cm, respectively. The approximate area of the harvested flap was 1063 ± 60 cm(2). In preparation for full face and scalp allotransplantation in humans, this study has demonstrated the feasibility of a full face and scalp flap without visible facial incisions.

[Surgical facial reanimation after persisting facial paralysis]. / Le traitement chirurgical de la paralysie faciale définitive.

Facial reanimation following persistent facial paralysis can be managed with surgical procedures of varying complexity. The choice of the technique is mainly determined by the cause of facial paralysis, the age and desires of the patient. The techniques most commonly used are the nerve grafts (VII-VII, XII-VII, cross facial graft), dynamic muscle transfers (temporal myoplasty, free muscle transfert) and static suspensions. An intensive rehabilitation through specific exercises after all procedures is essential to archieve good results.

Surgical treatment of patients with facial neuromas--a report of 26 consecutive operations.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze surgical treatment and outcome in patients with facial neuromas at a tertiary referral hospital. STUDY DESIGN: A chart review of 26 patients treated between 1971 and 2006, with questionnaire follow-up ranging from 2 to 19 years. All patients except one were operated with radical tumor removal approaches. RESULTS: Approximately 54% of the patients presented with symptoms related to the VIIth cranial nerve (facial palsy and facial spasm), 58% with symptoms related to the VIIIth cranial nerve (hearing deficit, tinnitus, and vertigo), and 8% related to the Vth cranial nerve (facial pain and facial sensory deficit). Approximately 39% presented with no facial symptoms. Twenty-one patients received a facial nerve graft from the greater auricular nerve or the sural nerve; 1 patient had an accessory-facial anastomosis. One patient had a subtotal tumor removal preserving the facial nerve. Three patients were not grafted. Most tumors (88%) affect the geniculate ganglion. Approximately 82% of the grafted patients regained a House-Brackmann facial nerve function (HB) grade III; 14% regained HB grades IV to V. No serious morbidity or mortality was reported. No recurrences have been reported where a total tumor removal was performed. CONCLUSION: Surgical removal of facial neuroma is a safe procedure with a low complication rate and a low recurrence rate. First symptoms are diverse and are predominantly derived from the facial and vestibulocochlear nerve. Facial nerve grafting is reliable, giving the patient an acceptable facial nerve function (HB III).

[Greater auricular nerve graft for repair of facial nerve defects].

OBJECTIVE: To retrospectively analysis the clinical data of facial nerve defects repair with greater auricular nerve graft. METHOD: The transmastoid approach was adopted to repair the facial nerve defects by means of nerve grafting. Preoperative and postoperative facial nerve functions were graded according to the House-Brackmann scale. RESULT: The patterns of temporal bone fracture in the 8 patients were longitudinal, most lesions occurred in the region of the second genu and its surrounding, preoperatively, all patients had Grade VI function. In 3 patients of facial nerve tumors, the tumors involved multiple nerve segments, and histologic results were all schwannomas, preoperatively, 1 case had Grade III function, 2 cases had Grade V function. In 2 patients of iatrogenic trauma of the facial nerve, the primary disease was chronic otitis media with cholesteatoma, the lesions were localized at the mastoid segment and the second genu respectively. In 1 patient of molten steel burn, the lesions was localized at the tympanic segment, preoperative facial nerve function was Grade VI. In addition to 3 cases lost to follow-up, the remaining patients, 4 recovered to a Grade III, 3 to a Grade VI, 2 to a Grade V and 2 remained at Grade VI. CONCLUSION: In present study, the most common cause of facial nerve transection was temporal bone fracture. Facial nerve reconstruction by means of greater auricular nerve grafting was a practical and effective method, the best postoperative recovery of facial nerve function was Grade III.

Cable grafting of the spinal accessory nerve after radical neck dissection.

BACKGROUND: From January 1981 through March 1996, 20 patients with head and neck cancer underwent radical neck dissection with sacrifice of the spinal accessory nerve and immediate reconstruction of the nerve using a microsurgical technique and a cable graft of the great auricular nerve. METHODS: Postoperative shoulder function was assessed via a subjective questionnaire, objective strength testing, and/or postoperative electromyography. The latter was used to evaluate for the presence and amplitude of voluntary motor potentials, the presence of fibrillation potentials, and nerve conduction latency. The group of patients who underwent cable grafting of the spinal accessory nerve was compared with a group of patients who underwent modified radical neck dissection with preservation of the spinal accessory nerve and with another group of patients who underwent a classic neck dissection with sacrifice of the spinal accessory nerve and no reconstruction. RESULTS: In terms of shoulder function, the group of patients in whom the spinal accessory nerve was reconstructed occupied an intermediate position; ie, their postoperative shoulder function was better than that of the patients who underwent radical neck dissection without reconstruction but not as good as that of the patients who underwent modified neck dissection with preservation of the spinal accessory nerve. CONCLUSION: Cable grafting of the spinal accessory nerve that has been sacrificed during radical neck dissection results in improved shoulder function in the postoperative period.

The first nerve graft, Vulpian, and the nineteenth century neural regeneration controversy.

We present translations from the French of 1863 and 1870 papers in which Philipeaux and Vulpian reported performing first nerve allografts and then nerve autografts in dogs. With the latter, they had some evidence of success in two of seven animals. It is our belief, based on an extensive search of the literature, that this was the first nerve grafting performed.

Carotid and cranial nerve reconstruction after removal of cavernous sinus lesions.

During the last 7 years, approximately 170 neoplasms, and 35 vascular lesions involving the cavernous sinus were treated by the first two authors. During the treatment of such lesions, the direct vein graft reconstruction of the internal carotid artery from the petrous to the supraclinoid or infraclinoid ICA was performed in 23 patients. Graft occlusion occurred in 3 patients and in one of these, it was successfully salvaged by placing a long venous graft from the extracranial ICA to the M3 segment of the middle cerebral artery. The latter 3 patients were neurologically normal. One patient with significant atherosclerotic disease suffered the dissection of the distal internal carotid artery with the graft being patent. The suturing technique. This patient eventually died. Two patients with severely compromised collateral circulation suffered minor strokes due to the temporary occlusion of the ICA. This has been avoided in the more recent patients by the adoption of brain protection techniques such as moderate hypothermia, induced hypertension, and barbiturate coma. Low dose heparin therapy during grafting and high dose intravenous steroids prior to the grafting also appear to be beneficial. Direct vein graft reconstruction of the intracavernous carotid artery is a valuable tool during the management of cavernous sinus lesions. The advantages and disadvantages of this technique as well as the pros and cons of other revascularization techniques will be discussed. During microsurgical removal of cavernous sinus lesions, the cranial nerves III-VI were reconstructed by direct resuture or by nerve grafting in 16 patients. In the majority of these patients, recovery of cranial nerve function was observed, which was very encouraging.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Extratemporal facial nerve grafting and radiotherapy.

Nineteen patients with extratemporal facial nerve grafting procedures and 13 patients with facial hypoglossal anastomosis were followed up with serial photographs for at least one year. The photographic analysis of the results demonstrates that radiotherapy had a detrimental influence on the return of facial movements after extratemporal facial nerve grafting.