Modified Selective Neurectomy for Post Facial Paralysis Synkinesis Smile Dysfunction

Anna Frants; Babak Azizzadeh

doi:10.1016/j.cxom.2022.09.006

Modified Selective Neurectomy for Post Facial Paralysis Synkinesis Smile Dysfunction

Atlas Oral Maxillofac Surg Clin North Am. 2023 Mar;31(1):65-69. doi: 10.1016/j.cxom.2022.09.006.

Authors

Anna Frants¹, Babak Azizzadeh²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, Center for Advanced Facial Plastic Surgery, 9401 Wilshire Boulevard, Beverly Hills, Suite 650, CA 90212, USA.
² Department of Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, Center for Advanced Facial Plastic Surgery, 9401 Wilshire Boulevard, Beverly Hills, Suite 650, CA 90212, USA; Division of Head and Neck Surgery, David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles, 200 UCLA Medical Plaza, Suite 550, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA. Electronic address: [email protected].

PMID: 36754508
DOI: 10.1016/j.cxom.2022.09.006

Abstract

Following incomplete facial nerve injury, patients may develop aberrant facial nerve reinnervation, which can result in facial synkinesis. The treatment goals for patients with postfacial paralysis synkinesis are to improve resting oral commissure position, oral competence, facial and cervical tightness, and smile symmetry and spontaneity. Modified selective neurectomy of the facial nerve as described by Azizzadeh and colleagues is a targeted surgical method that allows the surgeon to eliminate the antagonist movements of the face and allow the favorable movements of the face to predominate, resulting in a more natural smile.

Keywords: Facial paralysis; Neurectomy; Platysma myotomy; Smile dysfunction; Synkinesis.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Denervation / methods
Facial Expression
Facial Paralysis* / complications
Facial Paralysis* / surgery
Humans
Smiling
Synkinesis* / etiology
Synkinesis* / surgery