title: The Gracilis Free Flap.
abstract: The gracilis free flap is the ideal modality of emotive and spontaneous facial reanimation in patients with a viable contralateral facial nerve. A 2-stage procedure with a cross-face nerve graft followed by gracilis free flap inset is advocated. In this article, the anatomy of the gracilis muscle, alternative neural sources (including the masseteric nerve), and technical aspects of the procedure are discussed. The literature regarding outcomes and complications is reviewed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Head and Neck Surgery, University of California, Los Angeles, 9401 Wilshire Boulevard #650, Westwood, Beverly Hills, CA 90212, USA. Electronic address: drazizzadeh@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Babak
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Azizzadeh
authors.affiliation: Department of Head and Neck Surgery, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, 10833 Le Conte Avenue, CHS 62-237, Westwood, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1624, USA.
authors.forename: Kelly J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Pettijohn
mesh_terms: D005158:Facial Paralysis / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D013524:Surgical Flaps
keywords: Anatomy; Facial reanimation; Gracilis muscle free flap; Outcomes; Technique