title: Facial nerve reconstruction and facial disfigurement after radical parotidectomy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The importance of facial contouring with facial nerve reconstruction following total and radical parotidectomy is often overlooked. The goal of this study was to quantify the level of facial disfigurement and nerve dysfunction following reconstruction of the facial nerve, with or without reconstruction of the contours, using free tissue transfer.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 26 patients with radical parotidectomy and facial nerve reconstruction were included in this retrospective study. Of the 26 patients, 15 underwent follow-up interviews and evaluation of facial nerve function and disfigurement using three different scales: the regional House-Brackmann (H-B) scale, the Facial Clinimetric Evaluation (FaCE) Scale, and the observer-rated disfigurement scale.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 15 evaluated patients, 8 patients underwent free tissue transfer. Mean follow-up time was 39 months (median, 35; range, 11-65 months). Of the 15 patients, 10 patients had good or moderate function according to the H-B mouth scale (median score, 4; range, 2-5), and satisfactory eye closure was observed in 10 patients (median score, 3; range, 2-5). The mean disfigurement value rated by the physician was 5 (scale, 1-9), with a mean patient rating of 4. Subjective total FaCE score varied significantly (mean, 52; range, 13-93).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Facial nerve and soft tissue reconstruction are highly beneficial to patients undergoing radical parotidectomy.
authors.affiliation: Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
authors.forename: Tuija
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yla-Kotola
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
authors.forename: David P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Goldstein
authors.affiliation: Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
authors.forename: Stefan O P
authors.initials: SO
authors.lastname: Hofer
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
authors.forename: Samip N
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Patel
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
authors.forename: Dale H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
authors.forename: Jonathan C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Irish
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
authors.forename: Patrick J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Gullane
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
authors.forename: Ralph
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gilbert
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005154:Facial Nerve / Q000601:surgery*; D005158:Facial Paralysis / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D058752:Free Tissue Flaps; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D010307:Parotid Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology*; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012189:Retrospective Studies