The deep temporal nerve-orbicularis oculi muscle pedicle as a possible means for reanimation of the upper face.
Selective reinnervation of paralyzed facial musculature using the ansa hypoglossi nerve-muscle pedicle has been shown to be feasible in laboratory animals and in people. Because this structure cannot be brought beyond the level of the orbicularis oris muscle, the deep temporal nerve-orbicularis oculi nerve-muscle pedicle was investigated in six human cadavers as a possible source for reanimation of the paralyzed upper face. These studies show that it is possible to create a nerve-muscle pedicle that can easily reach the orbicularis oculi muscle in all specimens. Interest in electrical control of paralyzed structures to reestablish facial expression may allow further application of our findings.
Broniatowski
M
M
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH.
Lavertu
P
P
Tucker
H M
HM
D005152:Facial Muscles / Q000294:innervation / Q000601:surgery; D005158:Facial Paralysis / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007002:Hypoglossal Nerve / Q000601:surgery; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000379:methods*