Facial Reanimation
The facial nerve is the nerve responsible for facial expression. Sometime this nerve can be damaged after a trauma or a surgical procedure. It can also be damaged by Bell’s Palsy, or it can also be absent from the time of birth. In any case, the result of issues with the facial nerve is that the face can be asymmetric, with a paralyzed side appearing one way and the non-paralyzed side appearing another.
There are multiple procedures to recreate this balance. These range from Facial Suspension to Microsurgical techniques where the nerve is repaired or muscles are replaced in order to reanimate the face.
Moebius Syndrome
Moebius Syndrome (Also known as Möbius Syndrome) is a rare neurological disorder that causes facial paralysis and the inability to move the eyes laterally. In many cases, those affected also cannot frown or blink or close their eyes correctly (often referred to as a facial palsy with ocular abduction challenges.) It is a rare genetic disorder that is present from birth.
Treatment varies by patient and their individual case. Often a “smile surgery” is done where muscles are taken from the thighs and put in the face to help the child smile. Surgery can also be done to correct crossed eyes in patients with Moebius Syndrome. Consult a doctor with experience treating patients with Moebius syndrome.
