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Facial Plast Surg 2025; 41(03): 386-394
DOI: 10.1055/a-2358-9401
Original Research

Current Treatments and Future Directions for Facial Paralysis

Jonathan Leckenby 
1   Division of Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, New York
2   Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Sick Children, London, United Kingdom
,
Keith Sweitzer
1   Division of Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, New York
,
Timothy Olsen
1   Division of Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, New York
,
Danielle Mayorga-Young
1   Division of Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, New York
,
David Milek 
1   Division of Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, New York
,
Adriaan Grobbelaar
2   Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Sick Children, London, United Kingdom
3   Department for Plastic and Hand Surgery, Inselspital University Hospital Bern, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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Abstract

Facial palsy is a condition that affects the facial nerve, the seventh of the 12 cranial nerves. Its main function is to control the muscles of facial expression. This involves the ability to express emotion through controlling the position of the mouth, the eyebrow, nostrils, and eye closure. The facial nerve also plays a key role in maintaining the posture of the mouth and as such, people with facial paralysis often have problems with drooling, speech, and dental hygiene.

Due to the devastating effects on the quality of life of individuals with facial palsy, there are a multitude of various treatment options for the paralyzed face. This article reviews current management strategies and points towards promising future directions for research in the field of facial reanimation.

Keywords

facial reanimation - facial palsy - facial paralysis - treatment


Publication History

Accepted Manuscript online:
02 July 2024

Article published online:
01 August 2024

© 2024. Thieme. All rights reserved.

Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc.
333 Seventh Avenue, 18th Floor, New York, NY 10001, USA

 

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