A Histomorphometric Analysis of the Cross-Facial Nerve Graft in the Treatment of Facial Paralysis

ABSTRACT

One of the most unsettling sequela of facial paralysis (FP) is the loss of the blink reflex, leading to both a functional and aesthetic deformity. A successful method of treating FP and, in particular, loss of eye-sphincter function, is the use of the cross-facial nerve graft (CFNG) to reinnervate the previously denervated orbicularis oculi muscle. The present study examined the histomorphometric aspects of the entire CFNG, with respect to axon diameter and myelin area. The axon profile of the CFNG had a positive correlation with motor end-plate counts and electrophysiologic recordings. These results should help in further understanding the number of motor axons needed to restore adequate function to the paralyzed eye sphincter, and establish more rational reconstructive procedures.