title: Hypoglossal-facial nerve anastomosis and rehabilitation in patients with complete facial palsy: cohort study of 30 patients followed up for three years.
abstract: 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.
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Dalla Toffola
authors.forename: Chiara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pavese
authors.forename: Miriam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cecini
authors.forename: Lucia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Petrucci
authors.forename: Susanna
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ricotti
authors.forename: Maurizio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bejor
authors.forename: Grazia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Salimbeni
authors.forename: Federico
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Biglioli
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Klersy
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005154:Facial Nerve / Q000601:surgery*; D005158:Facial Paralysis / Q000534:rehabilitation* / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007002:Hypoglossal Nerve / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D020127:Recovery of Function