Free gracilis muscle transplantation, with microneurovascular anastomoses for the treatment of facial paralysis. A preliminary report.
A clinical operative technique for free muscle transplantation by microneurovascular anastomoses is presented. Two cases of free transfer of the gracilis muscle for dynamic reconstruction of facial paralysis are described, including a follow-up study with electromyography, light microscopy, and electron microscopy. We feel this new technique will have a wide range of application in reconstructive surgery.
D000328:Adult; D001158:Arteries / Q000601:surgery; D005145:Face / Q000098:blood supply*; D005154:Facial Nerve / Q000601:surgery*; D005158:Facial Paralysis / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008722:Methods; D008866:Microsurgery; D009132:Muscles / Q000098:blood supply / Q000637:transplantation*; D010525:Peripheral Nerves / Q000601:surgery*; D013848:Thigh; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous; D014680:Veins / Q000601:surgery