Objective To investigate a synthetical technique combining static and dynamic states for treating facial paralysis. Methods From October 1993 to November 2005, 93 patients (26 males, 67 females; aged 9-69 years; illness course, 6 months to 24 years) with facial paralysis were admitted for treatment, of whom 48 were unknown in their pathological origins, 32 had a history of intracranial or ear operation, 13 had their facial paralysis related to trauma. We applied synthetical techniques for treating facial paralysis, including denerved muscle (extensor hallucis brevis and extensor digitorum brevis) free graft using an operating or chemical technique, temporal muscular flap suspending, treatment of eye closure by uplifting zygomomalar tissues and temporal muscular flap suspending, brow lifting by the Buried Guiding Suture Appliance, Botox injection, and the nerve amputation of normal side for mandibular marginal ramus paralysis. Results After the treatment for 82 patients with the method of the denerved muscle free graft combining femporal muscular flap suspending, 3 patients with the method of uplifting zygomo-malar tissues combining temporalmuscular flap suspending for eye closure, 15 patients with the method of the Buried Giding Suture for eyebrow lifting, 4 patients with the Botox injection and nerve amputation of normal side for the mandibular marginal ramus paralysis,93 patientshad a good therapeutic result. The follow-up for 3 months to 10 years in all the patients revealed that 75 patients were satisfied with their treatment results and 13 patients were almost satisfied according to the criteria for the facialsymmetrical checking and the House-Brackmann grading system. The technique hadadvantages of a complete survival of the related small muscles, a hidden incision, less trauma for the Botox injection, and the denerved muscles for surrounding nerve inserting. Conclusion The synthetical technique combining static and dynamic states for treating facial paralysis is a good therapeutic method and the therapies for facial paralysis should vary with the different conditions of the paralysis. We advocate an individuation treatment for facial paralysis.
Objective To investigate the result of free vascular transplantation of denervated extensor digitorum brevis and extensor hallusis brevisfor the treatment of late facial paralysis. Methods From April 2003 to April 2005, 26 cases of facial paralyces were treated by transplantation of denervated extensor digitorum brevis and extensor hallusis brevis. During operation, the ends of the tendons were fixed at ala nasi, middle point of nasal labial fold,oral commisure and chin; the muscle belly were put around the masseter nerveto correct the nasal and oral deformity, microsurgery was applied to anastomosethe tarsus lateral vessels to the superficial temporalis vessels or the facial vessels. The result of the operation was evaluated by the Standard of Douglas Harrison and the Paresis Assessment scoring system of Stennert. Results The static appearance was satisfactory in 26 cases after operation, the bilateral oral commisure was symmetry and the dynamic appearance was greatly improved 6 months after operation. Among the 23 cases whose disease history was above 2 years,all could smile naturally and show their teeth symmetrically except 1 case whocould only move the oral commissure. Among the 3 cases whose disease history was less than 2 years, one could smile naturally and show his teeth symmetrically, one could smile but could not show his teeth symmetrically, another could move oral commissure but have no motion appearance. The result was evaluated as“” according to Standard of Douglas Harrison, accounting for 88% (23/26). Evaluated according to the Paresis Assessment scoring system of Stenert, the difference before operation and after operation was more than 5, accounting for 86% (22/26). Conclusion The free vascular transplantation of denervated extensor digitorum brevis and extensor halluces brevis can reconstruct the oral appearance for the treatment of late facial paralysis.