Abstract

Based on our surgical experiences for facial nerve palsy, we introduced our principles of restoring facial function in this paper. When the facial nerve is sacrificed in its intracranial portion, hypoglossal-facial nerve anastomosis is indicated. When the nerve is sacrificed in its intratemporal portion, nerve grafting is indicated. When the nerve is sacrificed in its extratemporal portion, nerve grafting, partial or total, is indicated. When the nerve is removed in its intra-and expra-temporal portions, muscle transfer techniques (the temporalis, masseter and digastricus) with multiple facial suspension are employed. To reinforce the effect of reconstruction by nerve repair, we have recently added muscle transfer techniques and facial suspension. For facial suspension, we use a Gore-Tex Soft Tissue Patch.