Free Flap Surgery for Facial Paralysis: Insights from Research on Choosing the Best Option
Italy: Researchers have found in new research that free flap surgery with dual innervation for long-term paralysis of the lower third of the face can achieve comparable results using either latissimus dorsi or gracilis free flaps. Further, the optimal choice depends on individual cases, considering the surgeon's expertise, the patient’s preferences, and overall expectations.
The findings were published online in the European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology on March 7, 2025.
Facial paralysis, particularly when affecting the lower third of the face, can significantly impact a person’s ability to express emotions and perform essential functions like speaking and eating. For patients with long-standing paralysis, reconstructive procedures such as free-flap surgery with double innervation have emerged as a promising approach to restoring facial movement. This technique involves transplanting muscle tissue, either from the latissimus dorsi or gracilis, to the affected area, while utilizing dual nerve inputs to enhance muscle activation.
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