title: Cross-facial nerve graft: past and present.
abstract: Facial paralysis is a relatively common disorder from which most people recover without complications. However, some are left with significant functional impairment and disfigurement, the treatment of which has challenged physicians for centuries. Within the spectrum of surgical procedures to reanimate the face is cross-facial nerve grafting. This article chronicles the history of cross-facial nerve grafting, including its past and present use, and describes various factors associated with its use. A brief discussion of aetiology and morbidity of facial paralysis and some fundamental surgical options will be presented. A complete review of these topics is beyond the scope of this manuscript.
authors.affiliation: Aesthetic & Plastic Surgery Institute, University of California, Irvine, 200 South Manchester, Suite 650, Orange, CA 92868-3298, USA.
authors.forename: Edward I
authors.initials: EI
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Keith A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Hurvitz
authors.forename: Gregory R D
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Evans
authors.forename: Garrett A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Wirth
mesh_terms: D005149:Facial Expression; D005154:Facial Nerve / Q000601:surgery*; D005158:Facial Paralysis / Q000209:etiology / Q000266:history / Q000601:surgery*; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D016067:Nerve Transfer / Q000266:history / Q000379:methods; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures / Q000266:history / Q000379:methods; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000266:history / Q000379:methods*