title: Gracilis microneurovascular transfer for facial paralysis.
abstract: Facial nerve dysfunction occurs in varying degrees of severity due to several causes, and leads to asymmetric or absent facial movements. Regardless of the etiology, facial nerve dysfunction can be functionally and psychologically devastating. Many techniques to restore facial symmetry both at rest and with motion have been pursued throughout history. Within the past 30 years, free muscle microneurovascular transfer techniques have been developed to provide symmetric motion to the face. The aim of this article is to describe one of the most common and reliable techniques to restore midface mobility, namely, gracilis microneurovascular transfer.
authors.affiliation: Division of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois.
authors.forename: Peter C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Revenaugh
authors.affiliation: Division of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.
authors.forename: Patrick J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Byrne
mesh_terms: D005154:Facial Nerve / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005158:Facial Paralysis / Q000601:surgery*; D058752:Free Tissue Flaps / Q000098:blood supply / Q000294:innervation; D006801:Humans; D008866:Microsurgery / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000637:transplantation*; D016067:Nerve Transfer / Q000009:adverse effects; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects; D012904:Smiling; D013848:Thigh; D020858:Tissue and Organ Harvesting