title: Initial Exploration on Temporal Branch of Facial Nerve Function Preservation in Plexiform Neurofibroma Resection.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Large temporal plexiform neurofibroma (PNF) is an irritating problem that causes facial disfigurement. Surgical resection of PNF is the only effective way to remove the tumor as well as to improve the patient's facial appearance. However, temporal branch of the facial nerve (TBFN) in the tumor is prone to be destroyed during PNF removal. Thus, TBFN palsy is the inevitable complication after surgery and might induce other malformation and dysfunction. Therefore, the aim of this study is to reconstruct a nearly normal face contour while preserving the facial nerve function.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Selective PNF removal technique was designed to protect TBFN during PNF lesions resection in our patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  From May 2011 to June 2015, the authors had 10 patients who suffered from PNF in the temporal region with facial disfigurement and underwent selective PNF removal to correct the facial disfigurement while preserving TBFN as well.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All patients obtained the improvement of facial appearance after surgery. The temporal PNF was removed and the TBFN function successfully maintained. Plexiform neurofibroma recurrence has not been relapsed during 6 to 49 months' follow-up.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In our initial exploration, TBFN function maintenance and facial appearance improvement can be achieved simultaneously by using PNF-selective removal surgery technique.
authors.affiliation: *Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Department, Shanghai 9th People's Hospital Affiliated to Medical School of Shanghai Jiaotong University †Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Department, Shanghai Zhoupu People's Hospital, Shanghai, China.
authors.forename: Xiaojie
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.forename: Melia
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bogari
authors.forename: Andy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tan
authors.forename: Xiaoyan
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.forename: Yang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.forename: Hui
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Yunbo
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Jin
authors.forename: Gang
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.forename: Xiaoxi
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Lin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004954:Esthetics; D005153:Facial Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D005154:Facial Nerve / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005158:Facial Paralysis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018318:Neurofibroma, Plexiform / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures