Movement of the facial muscles is made possible by the facial nerve. In the normal individual, this nerve extends from behind each ear and branches to reach the muscles of facial expression on the forehead, around the eye, mouth, and cheeks. The fine control by these small branches allows us to raise our eyebrows, close the eyes, smile, and also helps in speech and eating. It is with this amazing function that individuals can relate to one another with our facial expressions. Facial paralysis interferes with the important functions of eye protection, speech and mastication. Facial expressions are also affected.

The Facial Reconstruction and Reanimation Service from the Division of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic surgery offers many procedures to restore this mimetic function of the face. Some of the procedures may restore some voluntary movement to the face while the others aim to restore symmetry to the face at rest.

The procedure used depends on the cause of the facial paralysis, duration, and the area of face to be treated. They include:

• Immediate facial nerve anastomosis
• Nerve grafts
• Microsurgical muscle transfers with dynamic innervation
• Semi-dynamic musculofascial slings
• Static slings procedures
• Facial reconstruction procedures to restore facial symmetry and contour
• Adjunct procedures e.g. unilateral face lift, tarsorrhaphy

Combinations of the procedures may be required depending on the circumstances. All treatment options are tailored to the requirements of each individual.

We offer treatment to patients who have had facial paralysis following a stroke, after tumour resection (e.g. parotid gland tumours), facial nerve injury following trauma, or following Bell’s palsy.

We also offer reconstruction and aesthetic services to individuals with either congenital or acquired facial asymmetry. We are able to carry out microsurgical tissue transfers to restore facial contour and symmetry.

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