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Facial Plast Surg 2024; 40(04): 418-423
DOI: 10.1055/s-0044-1779628
Original Article

Outcomes of Free Flap Transfer in Facial Reanimation: A Review

Eamon Shamil    *
1   ENT Surgery Department, The Royal National ENT Hospital, University College London Hospital, London, United Kingdom
,
Denise Jia Yun Tan   *
2   ENT Surgery Department, Royal Stoke University Hospital, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, United Kingdom
,
Adriaan Grobbelaar
3   Department of Plastic Surgeon, Great Ormond Street Hospital, London, United Kingdom
4   Division of Surgery and Interventional Science, University College of London, London, United Kingdom
5   Department of Plastic and Hand Surgery, Inselspital, University Hospital of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
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Abstract

Free functional muscle transfer is is an option for reanimating the face in chronic facial nerve paralysis. The optimal outcome in these patients is the ability to restore a spontaneous smile in response to emotion. We discuss the role of free functional muscle transfer in facial paralysis treatment, the choices of nerve used in reconstruction surgery, and the application of different types of muscle flaps in facial reanimation. In this paper, we review the relevant and up-to-date academic literature regarding the outcomes of free functional muscle flap transfer in facial paralysis patients.

Keywords

facial reanimation - facial paralysis - facial nerve - reconstructive surgery - free flap transfer

* These authors share first co-authorship.




Publication History

Article published online:
09 February 2024

© 2024. Thieme. All rights reserved.

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