In this Article

• What is the facial nerve?
• What are symptoms of a facial nerve problem?
• What conditions affect the facial nerve?
• How are the causes of facial nerve dysfunction diagnosed?
• What is Bell's palsy?
• What are treatment options of facial nerve paralysis?
• What is the treatment for eye problems from facial nerve disorder?
• What surgical reconstruction options are available?
• Facial Nerve Problems and Bell's Palsy At A Glance
• Facial Nerve Problems Glossary
• Facial Nerve Problems Index

What surgical reconstruction options are available?

Reconstructive options for patients with facial muscle weakness or paralysis include one or more of the following:

• Nerve repair or nerve grafts: Facial nerve regeneration occurs at a rate of one millimeter per day. If a nerve has been cut or removed, direct microscopic repair is the best option.

• Nerve transposition: Often the tongue nerve (hypoglossal nerve) or the other facial nerve can be connected to the existing facial nerve. For example, the patient can train themselves to move their face by moving their tongue.

• Muscle transposition or sling procedures: The temporalis muscle or masseter muscle (some of the only muscles on the face not supplied by the facial nerve), can be moved down and connected to the corner of the mouth to provide movement of the face.

• Muscle transfers: Free muscles from the leg (gracilis) can be used to provide both muscle bulk and function. Often a cross facial nerve transposition is done to provide similar nerve supply to the donor muscle flap.

• Ancillary eyelid or oral procedures: In addition to one of the above, often it is necessary to include a brow lift or facelift, partial lip resection, eyelid repositioning, lower eyelid shortening, upper eyelid weights, or eyelid springs.

Facial Nerve Problems and Bell's Palsy At A Glance

• Facial nerve disorders affect the muscles of the face.

• There are many causes of facial nerve disorders.

• A number of tests can be helpful to diagnose the cause of a facial nerve disorder.

• Treatment of facial nerve disorder depends on the cause and severity.

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