Hypoglossal-facial nerve anastomosis and rehabilitation in patients with complete facial palsy: cohort study of 30 patients followed up for three years

Our study evaluates the grade and timing of recovery in 30 patients with complete facial paralysis (House-Brackmann grade VI) treated with hypoglossal-facial nerve (XII-VII) anastomosis and a long-term rehabilitation program, consisting of exercises in facial muscle activation mediated by tongue mov...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Functional neurology 2014-07, Vol.29 (3), p.183-187
Main Authors: Dalla Toffola, Elena, Pavese, Chiara, Cecini, Miriam, Petrucci, Lucia, Ricotti, Susanna, Bejor, Maurizio, Salimbeni, Grazia, Biglioli, Federico, Klersy, Catherine
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Anastomosis, Surgical
Cohort Studies
Facial Nerve - surgery
Facial Paralysis - rehabilitation
Facial Paralysis - surgery
Female
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Hypoglossal Nerve - surgery
Male
Recovery of Function
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Summary:Our study evaluates the grade and timing of recovery in 30 patients with complete facial paralysis (House-Brackmann grade VI) treated with hypoglossal-facial nerve (XII-VII) anastomosis and a long-term rehabilitation program, consisting of exercises in facial muscle activation mediated by tongue movement and synkinesis control with mirror feedback. Reinnervation after XII-VII anastomosis occurred in 29 patients, on average 5.4 months after surgery. Three years after the anastomosis, 23.3% of patients had grade II, 53.3% grade III, 20% grade IV and 3.3% grade VI ratings on the House-Brackmann scale. Time to reinnervation was associated with the final House-Brackmann grade. Our study demonstrates that patients undergoing XIIVII anastomosis and a long-term rehabilitation program display a significant recovery of facial symmetry and movement. The recovery continues for at Hypoglossal-facial nerve anastomosis and rehabilitation in patients with complete facial palsy: cohort study of 30 patients followed up for three years least three years after the anastomosis, meaning that prolonged follow-up of these patients is advisable.
ISSN:0393-5264
1971-3274
DOI:10.11138/FNeur/2014.29.3.183