Bells Palsy - Facial Surgery

Facial Surgery for Bells Palsy.

The role of surgery as a therapy for Bell's palsy is controversial. If patients do not completely recover, surgical treatment may be indicated. These complex procedures are performed on the facial nerves and muscles in order to reduce distortion of facial features and help restore function (e.g., eye closure).

The three main procedures are (1) facial nerve repair and nerve graft, (2) nerve substitution, and (3) muscle transposition. These procedures are not able to completely restore normal function, but they can significantly improve facial function and appearance.

(1). Facial nerve repair is the most effective procedure to restore facial function in patients who have suffered nerve damage from an accident or during surgery. It involves microscopic repair of a nerve that has been cut. A nerve graft replaces one that has been removed.

(2). Nerve substitution is indicated when the nerve cannot be repaired in the conventional manner. In this procedure, another cranial nerve involved in facial movement is connected to the damaged nerve and takes over its function.

(3). Muscle transposition is used in patients who have had facial paralysis for at least 2 years and are unlikely candidates for nerve repair or substitution. This procedure involves the transfer of a muscle with its original nerve supply (a neuromuscular unit) to the affected area. The temporalis muscle or masseter muscle (two muscles in the face that are not controlled by the facial nerve) are moved and connected to the corner of the mouth to provide movement in the lower part of the face. In free muscle transfer, muscles from the leg are moved to the face to provide bulk and function.

In addition to these procedures, a brow or facelift may be necessary to reduce facial drooping. The lower eyelid, which may begin to droop and turn outward (called ectropion) because of the lack of muscle tone, can be tightened with corrective surgery. Weights can be implanted into the eyelid to help the eye blink and close.

Surgical removal of the bone near the nerve, known as decompression surgery, is performed in severe cases when the facial nerve is seriously deteriorating. These patients are at risk for permanent paralysis and have a poor prognosis without aggressive intervention. Research has shown that this procedure is effective in improving outcomes in a select group of patients. To be effective, the surgery must be performed within 2 weeks of the onset of symptoms.

thebellspalsychannel@rocketmail.com

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• living
• with
• bells
• palsy

[musicdork4ever]

Wait, I have to wait 9 months for the nerve to grow? Oh man, this really helps with my ugliness :(

[gunnarbiker]

I'm having that same surgery, hopefully next month. Did your daughter's new nerve heal with a healthy smile?

[No1LadyDiamante]

@Gideon359 yeah it did work a lil because there is contractions in that side of my face when i try to smile etc and talk so im no longer completely paralysed on that side but I'm still not able to drag that corner of my mouth fully up to create a normal smile :( and that corner of my upper still wont lift, so I think the surgery cant really result in desirable results but it just provides an improvement

[Gideon359]

@No1LadyDiamante and how are you doing right now is your surgery begining to work now? did it at least work a lil bit and are you completely paralyzed from one side

[No1LadyDiamante]

I had that exact same surgery aswel, iv got facial paralysis down 1 side also as result of an accident when I was younger but tht nerve graft from my leg did not work, so then 2 years later I got the surgery done again but they took nerve from my armpit, and stil not much better results :/

[Gwenlj]

Amen! God Bless her.